grouchy

adjective

ˈgrau̇-chē How to pronounce grouchy (audio)
Definition of grouchynext
1
as in irritable
easily irritated or annoyed a lack of sleep would make anyone grouchy

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in restless
given to complaining a lot a grouchy kid who refuses to eat his vegetables

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 grouchy For now, the contrast between Martin and his patients has a productive friction that gives Charles plenty of grouchy misanthropy to work with. — Alison Herman, Variety, 4 Jan. 2026 Drawing inspiration from partner Matt Sieve’s Midwestern roots, the 5,000-square-foot restaurant takes its name from a notoriously grouchy cook who ran his family’s 100-year-old restaurant in Alexandria, Minnesota. — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Dec. 2025 But for younger generations, Ron Howard's 2000 adaptation starring a ghoulishly grouchy Jim Carrey is just as essential. — Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Dec. 2025 In last week's two-episode premiere we were introduced to the happiness pandemic that's spread around the world and the harrowing story of the one grouchy woman left to save the planet from unbridled happiness. — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 14 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for grouchy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grouchy
  1. irritable
  2. restless
  3. grumpy
  4. crabby
  5. displeased
  6. cranky
  7. querulous
  8. nervous
Adjective
  • As the fascination with Ernetti grows into something unhealthy, Béatrice subtly grows more tired, more distracted, more irritable and desperate for answers, small changes Sellier conveys with a smart sense of restraint.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The product immediately calmed down my irritable, rosacea-prone skin while delivering intense hydration that lasted all day.
    — Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of irritable
Adjective
  • Two males and one female, the cubs were restless during Tuesday’s vaccination.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The dog was restless without his owner, and would look for men who resembled Vela Gonzalez on every walk, Cabrera said.
    — Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of restless
Adjective
  • One fond memory of Telluride is once being trapped in a gondola with the often grumpy Mike Leigh.
    — Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2026
  • There was another version where Daniela was grumpy and dark, the complete opposite of Maria.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of grumpy
Adjective
  • For the priests, this was a case of demonic possession due to witch-craft, and Mary’s crabby, aloof neighbor Elizabeth Jackson was the prime witch suspect.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
  • The show followed the destitute Cuylers — father Early, his illegitimate son Rusty, his meth-loving sister Lily, and his crabby grandmother Granny — and their various moneymaking high jinks.
    — Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026
Definition of crabby
Adjective
  • The Wolverines looked out of sorts for most of the night, and Whittingham was visibly displeased with their performance.
    — Austin Meek, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Drinkwitz was displeased with just one sack and no takeways from the defense on the night.
    — PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of displeased
Adjective
  • Between these encounters Faye deals with vitriol from her cranky downstairs neighbors.
    — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The bad news is that last month’s cranky, inhospitable vibes are bleeding into this month.
    — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of cranky
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 letter writer is almost 40 and nervous about living with a romantic partner for the first time.
    — Shane O’Neill, Washington Post, 3 Sep. 2026
  • That energy spike is reinforcing inflation worries in a bond market already nervous about America’s $40 trillion mountain of debt.
    — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of nervous

Browse Nearby Words

grouching
grouchy
ground
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Cite this Entry

“Grouchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grouchy. Accessed 11 Sep. 2026.

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