testy

tes·ty | \ ˈte-stē

How to pronounce testy (audio)

\

testier; testiest

Definition of testy

1 : easily annoyed : irritable

2 : marked by impatience or ill humor testy remarks

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Examples of testy in a Sentence

that coworker would be easier to get along with if she weren't so testy all the time

Recent Examples on the Web Wednesday’s meeting, though, seemed to be even more testy and fractured than usual as pro- and anti-racing factions squared off against each other. — Los Angeles Times, "Horse racing newsletter: Santa Anita is still in a holding pattern," 24 Apr. 2020 In Ohio, where protests against the state's stay-at-home policies have grown increasingly testy in recent days, a state lawmaker justified his lack of a mask with a religious argument. — Katie Shepherd, Anchorage Daily News, "Masks become a flashpoint for protests and fights as businesses, beaches and parks reopen," 5 May 2020 Len appeared to commit multiple moving screen violations on the play — though no foul was called live — and the Blazers’ starting shooting guard grew testy, shoving the 7-foot center with both arms. — oregonlive, "NBA fines CJ McCollum, Alex Len for shoving match during Portland Trail Blazers’ loss to Sacramento Kings," 8 Mar. 2020 The lawsuit accused Coastal of severely curtailing its supply, which resulted in rising gas prices. The settlement process between the two sides was long, testy and frustrating, but Cockrell held tough. — Gilbert Garcia, ExpressNews.com, "Lila Cockrell: a product of her time who transcended her time," 30 Aug. 2019 One of the testiest exchanges involved the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine. — Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, "Governors hand experts the mic during coronavirus briefings, presenting a contrast to Trump," 15 Apr. 2020 Congress had just overruled one of Bolsonaro’s vetoes in a testy back-and-forth over the budget. — Vincent Bevins, The New York Review of Books, "In Brazil, Bolsonaro Gambles on a Coronavirus Culture War," 23 Mar. 2020 The debate began as a genteel conversation over how to address the coronavirus and descended into a testy battle over records and who has the courage to do the right thing. — NBC News, "Coronavirus: Fed cuts rates to near zero, CDC says cancel gatherings of 50 or more and NYC schools close," 17 Mar. 2020 One such fracas, apparently over yogurt, made the news, and the frightening image of a city square overrun by hungry, testy monkeys made its way across the Internet. — Dan Chiasson, The New Yorker, "The Pandemic Is Remaking What Performance Can Be," 16 Mar. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'testy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

23 May 2020

Cite this Entry

“Testy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/testy. Accessed 4 Jun. 2020.

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