testy

adjective

tes·​ty ˈte-stē 

testier; testiest

1

: easily annoyed : irritable

2

: marked by impatience or ill humor

testy remarks

testily

ˈte-stə-lē 

adverb

testiness

ˈte-stē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of testy

• irritable
• fiery

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

The two are headed to a May 26 runoff after neither won a majority in the GOP primary this month, and their rematch is growing testy. —Philip Jankowski austin Bureau, Dallas Morning News, 13 Mar. 2026

The second half would be as testy as the first half promised, with neither team leading by more than three points until a late 9-0 run from the Falcons gave them a 63-57 edge with 2 minutes remaining. —Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 10 Mar. 2026

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 36 points in his return after missing nine games with an abdominal strain and the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Denver Nuggets 127-121 in overtime Friday night in a testy matchup that featured multiple technical fouls and an ejection. —ABC News, 28 Feb. 2026

This should be a testy negotiation, but one that results in a new deal. —Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026

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

Rhymes for testy

• arrestee
• contestee

Kids Definition

testy

adjective

tes·​ty ˈtes-tē 

testier; testiest

: easily annoyed : irritable

testily

-tə-lē 

adverb

testiness

-tē-nəs 

noun