CURMUDGEONLY Synonyms: 94 Similar and Opposite Words

curmudgeonly

adjective

Definition of curmudgeonly

as in cantankerous

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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 curmudgeonly Then, Depp emerged, fully transformed into the curmudgeonly character with makeup and Scrooge’s iconic black coat and matching top hat. — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 23 July 2026 The fruits of their labor, a seven-episode exploration of American history through David’s curmudgeonly eyes, is already halfway through its HBO run. — Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 13 July 2026 Not even the curmudgeonly Melvin can bring himself to harm the little rascal. — Camille Perri, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026 The new arrival to the town, Sam Cooper (Alfred Molina) is a curmudgeonly grouch with a heart of gold, consumed with grief over his late wife, Lily (Jane Kaczmarek). — Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026 Resistance to change can be chalked up to old curmudgeonly thinking, or sentimental attachment. — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026 Berry's name and face may not be as familiar to American audiences as Offerman's, who became so well known as the curmudgeonly Ron Swanson on Parks and Recreation. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Mar. 2026 Van Pelt’s giant Pacific octopus narrator — wry, curmudgeonly, deeply observant — is the beating heart of the book. — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Mar. 2026 And what of the gently curmudgeonly man of letters who runs an after-school study room for children, tutoring them in everything from multiplication tables to Victor Hugo? — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for curmudgeonly

Adjective

Carroll O'Connor played the cantankerous antihero Archie Bunker, legendary for firing off his grumpy, bigoted views.

— Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 12 July 2026
Principle photography is underway in London, with Jurassic Park star Jeff Goldblum sharing his memories of contending with Winston’s cantankerous Tyrannosaurus Rex.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 29 June 2026

Definition of cantankerous

Adjective

In the show, Kyle Chandler plays Hal Jordan, an ornery Green Lantern who is begrudgingly training his upstart protégé (Aaron Pierre).

— Jordan Moreau, Variety, 16 July 2026
Leach also would publicly call out his players and could get ornery when questioned about his team’s shortcomings.

— Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 2 June 2026

Definition of ornery

Adjective

Back at the dilapidated family home, Edgar grows even surlier, lashing into gentle-natured Joe for being an under-achiever compared to his brother and causing Thya to become apprehensive about Ed’s proximity to sharp objects.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026
Kara Zor-El, the cynical, surly protagonist of the new Supergirl movie, has a very different attitude than her goody two-shoes cousin, Clark Kent.

— James Grebey, Time, 26 June 2026

Definition of surly

Adjective

Julian Dennison stars as the troubled Ricky Baker, a kid who ends up on the run with an irascible old man, played by Sam Neill.

— Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 14 July 2026
Neill starred in the first two seasons of Peaky Blinders as Chester Campbell, an irascible and ruthless inspector charged with rooting out organized crime in Birmingham.

— Jake Kanter, Deadline, 13 July 2026

Definition of irascible

Adjective

But Neill doesn’t lean into the crotchety loner stereotype that could have ruined the entire film, finding a core of relatable decency in this outsider that instead holds the whole effort together with an honest humanity reflected in his choices.

— Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 14 July 2026
Here and across most of the album, Antonoff comes off like a crotchety war vet boxing at shadows.

— Walden Green, Pitchfork, 30 May 2026

Definition of crotchety

Adjective

Mistaking being disagreeable with the act of disagreeing is common - especially in unsafe psychological workplaces.

— Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
There are also a lot of people who have never dreamed of being disagreeable in public, much less considered joining a raucous social movement.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 12 June 2026

Definition of disagreeable

Browse Nearby Words

curmudgeonliness

curmudgeonly

curmudgeons

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“Curmudgeonly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curmudgeonly. Accessed 29 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of curmudgeonly

adjective

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