as in crab
an irritable and complaining person
only a curmudgeon would object to the nursing home's holiday decorations
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of curmudgeon
Having been named and modeled after Dickens' classic curmudgeon, Scrooge McDuck naturally assumes the role of Ebenezer Scrooge, while Mickey makes for a sympathetic Bob Cratchit.
—
Sezín Devi Koehler, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Dec. 2025
Nothing adds depth to an irascible curmudgeon quite like an irrational love of pets that do not love you back.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 3 Dec. 2025
As a boss, Canby was exceptionally kind and protective, a joyful curmudgeon.
—Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Nostalgic curmudgeons will tell you the food’s gone downhill, but the wings taste better than ever.
—Jay Deitcher, Time, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for curmudgeon
Sezín Devi Koehler, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Dec. 2025
Nothing adds depth to an irascible curmudgeon quite like an irrational love of pets that do not love you back.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 3 Dec. 2025
As a boss, Canby was exceptionally kind and protective, a joyful curmudgeon.
—Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Nostalgic curmudgeons will tell you the food’s gone downhill, but the wings taste better than ever.
—Jay Deitcher, Time, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for curmudgeon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for curmudgeon
Noun
-
Think seafood towers, caviar and blinis, fresh oysters, crab cakes, and Angus steak.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Kick things off with the Oysters Bienville before moving on to the shrimp and grits, scallops, and crab cakes.—
Lydia Mansel,
Southern Living,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
An energy vampire has bad body language, the complaining look on their face, the vocal complainer.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Feb. 2026
-
If family needs cause drama, set kind boundaries and explain them to any complainers.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
2 Jan. 2026
Noun
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And adults are happy to buy their favorite bears online, while kids can still experience the magic of building their own bear in store.—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
23 Feb. 2026
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However, the bear case includes the possibility that Nvidia misses its earnings results, and that the stock market gets a DeepSeek Part Two moment.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Early locations had a giant clown head popping out of a square box on the roof, based on children’s jack-in-the-box toys, music boxes with cranks that, when turned, cause figures to pop out of their lids.—
Fielding Buck,
Oc Register,
16 Feb. 2026
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But as with the dismantling of huge swaths of our research capacity, this refusal to even consider this mRNA flu vaccine on what are obviously ideological grounds is going to affect a hell of a lot more people than just the cranks who agree with them.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The iconic Christmas grump, who has become a seasonal favorite at Universal theme parks for his lack of holiday spirit and acerbic banter, initially greeted the little girl in his signature gruff delivery.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
10 Dec. 2025
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Then again, being a grump is Payton's brand.—
Matt Schubert,
Denver Post,
26 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Curmudgeon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curmudgeon. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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