curmudgeonly

adjective

Definition of curmudgeonlynext
as in cantankerous

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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 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
  1. cantankerous
  2. ornery
  3. querulous
  4. surly
  5. dyspeptic
  6. irascible
  7. crotchety
  8. disagreeable
Adjective
  • Slow Horses stars Oldman as Lamb, a brilliant but cantankerous leader of dysfunctional spies who have made career-ending mistakes and end up at a dumping ground MI5 unit known as Slough House.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Lillard’s Portland homecoming After having spent the first 11 years of his career adored in Portland, guard Damian Lillard left the city in a cantankerous exit in 2023 for Milwaukee to give Antetokounmpo what was supposed to be a championship boost.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 13 Aug. 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
  • The American right, too, is in a shifting, querulous state.
    — Amy Davidson Sorkin, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2026
  • In fact, the B-2 bombers were still in the air with hours to go before reaching home when Van Hollen issued his querulous statement.
    — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 5 Mar. 2026
Definition of querulous
Adjective
  • The Jordan that the audience gets to know is a bit surly and self-centered.
    — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of surly
Adjective
  • Better is Danny Elfman’s spartan and fraught score, particularly the dyspeptic drums.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
  • But Kael sensed in her less dyspeptic moments that there was something special about Redford.
    — Stephen Galloway, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2025
Definition of dyspeptic
Adjective
  • My backyard tortoise, Philbert, has been most irascible and taken to his fainting couch (cardboard box).
    — STAT Staff, STAT, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Graham, who died unexpectedly on July 11 at age 71, was equally irascible and incorrigible.
    — Philip Elliott, Time, 28 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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Cite this Entry

“Curmudgeonly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curmudgeonly. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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