1
as in clumsy
difficult to use or operate especially because of size, weight, or design
that old typewriter is handy sometimes, but rather cranky these days
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in irritable
easily irritated or annoyed
the baby was cranky after not being fed for hours
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in restless
given to complaining a lot
if cranky children don't appreciate what they already have, then they shouldn't get a thing more
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in funny
different from the ordinary in a way that causes curiosity or suspicion
that's just another of his cranky theories about the CIA
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in psychotic
dialect
having or showing a very abnormal or sick state of mind
the man would inflict on innocent bystanders his cranky ruminations on world events
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cranky
The right-hander, who battled a cranky back and shoulder fatigue in spring training, is expected to slot into the Yankees’ rotation on April 15 or 16 against the Royals.
—
Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 2025
Gene was convicted of killing a cranky tenant, Linda Gallo, although the evidence against him was weak.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025
The odd couple: Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood), a free-spirited young woman from Manchester tagging along with her cranky, fiftysomething life partner Rick (Walton Goggins), who is on a mission to avenge his father’s death.
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2025
Meanwhile, a cranky back and shoulder fatigue delayed Clarke Schmidt and forced him to start the year on the injured list.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cranky
Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 2025
Gene was convicted of killing a cranky tenant, Linda Gallo, although the evidence against him was weak.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025
The odd couple: Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood), a free-spirited young woman from Manchester tagging along with her cranky, fiftysomething life partner Rick (Walton Goggins), who is on a mission to avenge his father’s death.
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2025
Meanwhile, a cranky back and shoulder fatigue delayed Clarke Schmidt and forced him to start the year on the injured list.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cranky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cranky
Adjective
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For those things that are bigger, or subject to rough forces like clumsy human hands, through-hole soldering is still required, with leads poked through a connective hole and solder applied to connect and join them securely.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 Apr. 2025
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The rubber sole is also important for clumsy gals like myself.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
People.com,
12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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It is believed to reduce pain and inflammation, and has been used for treatment of back pain, high blood pressure, arthritis, migraines, and irritable bowel disease.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
4 Apr. 2025
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And even in what was a stilted match played in an increasingly irritable atmosphere, Rogers and Tielemans delivered with an assist each.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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At one point, the crowd in Los Angeles was growing restless, Ms. Reese said, with people pushing one another to reach the front.—
Alisha Haridasani Gupta,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2025
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Last weekend, the sun was particularly restless, unleashing eight M-class solar flares between Friday and Monday.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Our strength comes from funny stories and serious ones, too.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes.com,
8 May 2025
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That’s funny to me — because back in ’09, no one would have thought that, right?—
Carl Lamarre,
Billboard,
7 May 2025
Adjective
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The counselor also told police Trotman had had a previous psychotic break in which he was found wandering the woods.—
Peter Hermann,
Washington Post,
7 Feb. 2023
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Lewis prescribed Price anti-psychotic medication after a mental health referral Sept. 1.—
Thomas Saccente,
Arkansas Online,
17 Jan. 2023
Adjective
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Bill Belichick’s daughter-in-law seems none too pleased with his girlfriend Jordon Hudson, shading the 24-year-old for her behavior during the Super Bowl winner’s awkward new CBS interview as former Patriots Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski defended Hudson.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2025
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The situation was made more awkward by the lack of support from anyone else at the table.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Bronte guesses that Joe and Kate’s real-life romance-novel trope grumpy/sunshine (or maybe grumpy/grumpy).—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
24 Apr. 2025
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Many people might be harsh today, because this is a grumpy day!—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The presentation starts with teaching the compliment sandwich technique, but quickly goes off the rails as the participants ask more bizarre questions.—
Rosa Escandon,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
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Heti’s writing is witty, reflective, and just bizarre enough to capture your interest even as people mill about in your peripheral vision.—
Bekah Waalkes,
The Atlantic,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cranky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cranky. Accessed 11 May. 2025.
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