as in irritability
readiness to show annoyance or impatience
overtired children are often prone to crankiness
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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2
as in irritable
easily irritated or annoyed
the baby was cranky after not being fed for hours
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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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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of crankiness
Avery Newmark, AJC.com, 10 Mar. 2026
And remember, most Californians are running on an hour less sleep today, so drive a little slower and blame your crankiness on the time change.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 15 May 2026
Their characters, Tova, a 70-year-old widow, and Cameron, a 30-something searching for his father, become unlikely friends thanks, in part to a cranky and wise octopus named Marcellus (Alfred Molina) who lives in the aquarium where Tova cleans at night.
—ABC News, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for crankiness
Noun
Poor sleep leads to more than just crankiness A cranky kid after a bad night’s sleep is bad enough.
—Avery Newmark, AJC.com, 10 Mar. 2026
And remember, most Californians are running on an hour less sleep today, so drive a little slower and blame your crankiness on the time change.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
By the mid-1980s, King was both a prolific source of inspiration for major auteurs like Brian De Palma, Stanley Kubrick, David Cronenberg, and John Carpenter, and an often cranky critic of their adaptations.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 15 May 2026
Their characters, Tova, a 70-year-old widow, and Cameron, a 30-something searching for his father, become unlikely friends thanks, in part to a cranky and wise octopus named Marcellus (Alfred Molina) who lives in the aquarium where Tova cleans at night.
—ABC News, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for crankiness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crankiness
irritability
Noun
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Clutter has been linked to higher stress levels, lower focus, and feelings of tension or irritability, whereas clean and organized spaces are associated with calmness, a sense of control, and even better physical health.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 June 2026
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This is also one of the reasons why chronically high cortisol is associated with anxiety, irritability and trouble focusing.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crankiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crankiness. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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