curmudgeon

noun

(ˌ)kər-ˈmə-jən How to pronounce curmudgeon (audio)
Definition of curmudgeonnext
as in crab
an irritable and complaining person only a curmudgeon would object to the nursing home's holiday decorations

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of curmudgeon An appreciation for one of the dining world’s great curmudgeons. — Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026 While some filmmakers, like Darren Aronofsky, considered his harsh critiques a badge of honor, Reed's colleagues remembered him as more than just a curmudgeon. — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 12 May 2026 The David Hockney–esque Julian was a star of the ’60s and ’70s but has spent the past three decades in prolonged retreat, living off his notoriety and persona as an art curmudgeon — first as a judge on a reality-competition show and, more recently, on Cameo. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2026 And adopting the mantle of cultural curmudgeon can get tiring. — Anna Holmes, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for curmudgeon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for curmudgeon
  1. crab
  2. complainer
  3. bear
  4. crank
  5. grump
Noun
  • Gunther trapped Cody in a half-crab after the final commercial break.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
  • In recent decades, the Mediterranean waters have warmed to temperatures that allow the blue crabs to reproduce more successfully — sometimes multiple times within a single breeding season.
    — Kasha Patel, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
Definition of crab
Noun
  • Are they deluded into thinking that the complainers are just a squeaky wheel minority and the majority of fans are happy with it?
    — Jeremy Rutherford, New York Times, 13 July 2026
  • Instead of pushing through pain and not speaking up for fear they'll be labeled weak or a complainer, this generation is more inclined to listen to their bodies, advocate for themselves, and address the issue through the proper resources.
    — Sarah Scott, Parents, 10 June 2026
Definition of complainer
Noun
  • They are advised to remain at least 100 yards away from bears, wolves and cougars.
    — Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 13 July 2026
  • The video shows the bear rushing Koerwitz, who grabs a can of bear spray and shoots it at the bear.
    — David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 13 July 2026
Definition of bear
Noun
  • The firefighters ultimately used a hand crank to move the elevator, and Wallace told the outlet that the museum gave the everyone lifetime free passes in return.
    — Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 10 July 2026
  • The crank makes opening and closing easy, and the cloth is UV-resistant and waterproof.
    — Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 3 July 2026
Definition of crank
Noun
  • While Hockney worked, Auden, as the artist recalled, played the part of the impatient, irritable grump.
    — Mark Rozzo, Vanity Fair, 12 June 2026
  • Youngman said Adelman was misunderstood and mischaracterized as something of a grump without personality.
    — Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026
Definition of grump

Browse Nearby Words

curly
curmudgeon
curmudgeonliness
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Cite this Entry

“Curmudgeon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curmudgeon. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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