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
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Recent Examples of grouchy
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
Townsend will play Norm Stinson, an excellent (and grouchy) veteran basketball coach who knows how to get the best out of his teams, but not always how to communicate.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2025
Leading up to kickoff of Belichick’s debut at Chapel Hill, college football, this community and certainly the TV networks were thrilled with the prospect of this grouchy old man turning an irrelevant football team into something worth watching.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grouchy
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
Townsend will play Norm Stinson, an excellent (and grouchy) veteran basketball coach who knows how to get the best out of his teams, but not always how to communicate.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2025
Leading up to kickoff of Belichick’s debut at Chapel Hill, college football, this community and certainly the TV networks were thrilled with the prospect of this grouchy old man turning an irrelevant football team into something worth watching.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grouchy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grouchy
Adjective
-
They can be withdrawn or irritable.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
14 June 2026
-
While Hockney worked, Auden, as the artist recalled, played the part of the impatient, irritable grump.—
Mark Rozzo,
Vanity Fair,
12 June 2026
Adjective
-
Local legends speak of restless spirits, mysterious voices, and supernatural activity, although many claims are impossible to verify.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
15 June 2026
-
James Boyard, a Haitian police officer and security expert, was abducted Thursday morning in Raimbol in the Bourdon neighborhood as the family traveled through the capital to see a doctor after a restless night caring for their sick daughter.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
14 June 2026
Adjective
-
The question for Britain is whether his easygoing charm and gift for communication will be enough to successfully lead a grumpy, stagnant country that has already had six prime ministers since the Brexit referendum in 2016.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
19 June 2026
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So that journey from being an embittered, grumpy, individual turns into something incredibly progressive, beautiful and quite life-affirming.—
Pat Saperstein,
Variety,
14 June 2026
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
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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
Adjective
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Senate Republican Leader John Curran, R-Downers Grove, was still displeased with the larger spending plan, which is the largest in state history despite its minimal growth.—
Ben Szalinski,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
-
Not long after, Karlsson went to the locker room and Vegas’ athletic trainer whispered in coach John Tortorella’s ear, and the coach looked displeased.—
Rich Hammond,
New York Times,
14 June 2026
Adjective
-
For example, check-in slowed by a cranky ankle was met with a surprise delivery of a bag of ice, while an inquiry into a local attraction was answered with immediate directions and a follow-up printout of the schedule.—
Carrie Bell,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
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What started as a cranky shoulder in spring is a growing concern, given a slow recovery track and recent setback.—
Marc Topkin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 June 2026
Adjective
-
The American right, too, is in a shifting, querulous state.—
Amy Davidson Sorkin,
New Yorker,
18 Apr. 2026
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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
Adjective
-
Oprah selected it for her book club; at her compound in Montecito, Whitehead was so nervous that her staff insisted on blow-drying the damp patches of his dress shirt before they were introduced.—
Julian Lucas,
New Yorker,
22 June 2026
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The low unemployment rate had made many economists nervous, including some on the Fed.—
Barbara Hagenbaugh,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grouchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grouchy. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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