testy

adjective

tes·​ty ˈte-stē How to pronounce testy (audio)
testier; testiest
Synonyms of testynext
1
: easily annoyed : irritable
2
: marked by impatience or ill humor
testy remarks
testily adverb
testiness noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In a testy and often heated hearing Wednesday, FCC chair Brendan Carr did not take responsibility for his statements about Jimmy Kimmel ahead of the host’s late night show being pulled from the air. Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 17 Dec. 2025 White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt cited a testy exchange with CNN’s chief White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins on Thursday as reason enough for the cable channel to receive new ownership. Ryan Mancini, The Hill, 11 Dec. 2025 Things got testy shortly thereafter. Miami Herald, 30 Nov. 2025 Often the player demands a trade, whether owing to clashes with the coaching staff, testy contract negotiations, or a desire to play for a team in a better position to contend for a championship. Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 15 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for testy

Word History

Etymology

Middle English testif, from Anglo-French, headstrong, from teste head — more at tester entry 2

First Known Use

1523, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of testy was in 1523

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Testy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/testy. Accessed 24 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

testy

adjective
tes·​ty ˈtes-tē How to pronounce testy (audio)
testier; testiest
: easily annoyed : irritable
testily adverb
testiness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on testy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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