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
  • Perelman said people who have weakened immune systems and those with irritable bowel disease may want to talk to their doctors before incorporating the foods into their diet.
    — Devi Shastri, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
  • The symptoms are so delayed that people often blame them on food poisoning, irritable-bowel syndrome, gluten intolerance.
    — Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 29 June 2026
Definition of irritable
Adjective
  • The brand is part of a fast-growing category of functional desserts targeting people who still want something sweet before bed but no longer want the payoff of a restless night.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson July 17, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026
  • Between philosophy and flesh, jealousy and freedom, spring unfolds as a restless search for love, nature, and the fragile ethics of attachment.
    — Marta Balaga, Variety, 17 July 2026
Definition of restless
Adjective
  • With his bushy beard and a grumpy demeanor that belies a tender-hearted soul, Neill was destined to play a role like Hector.
    — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 13 July 2026
  • Him, a lifelong journalist with a grumpy exterior but a soft spot for teaching the trade.
    — Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 12 July 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 Firm is, unsurprisingly, displeased at the idea of more dirty laundry coming to light.
    — Emma Banks, InStyle, 7 July 2026
  • The shot sailed over the bar before England keeper Jordan Pickford shouted at his defenders, clearly displeased with the lack of resistance in their own half.
    — Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 27 June 2026
Definition of displeased
Adjective
  • Every cranky American who still can’t get over the game’s lack of scoring, and rules that allow a crapshoot penalty-kick scenario to crown a quadrennial World Cup champion, would have fresh reason to gripe.
    — Sean Gregory, Time, 20 July 2026
  • In the film, Field portrays Tova, the cleaning lady who bonds with the somewhat cranky Marcellus, an octopus wise behind his years, in Netflix’s screen adaptation of Shelby Van Pelt’s bestselling novel.
    — Denise Petski, Deadline, 8 July 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
  • And investors are increasingly nervous about when and whether the mind-boggling sums being spent by Big Tech on data centers will ever generate returns.
    — Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 23 July 2026
  • This can reduce uncertainty for patients who are nervous about traveling abroad.
    — Nia Bowers, USA Today, 22 July 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 24 Jul. 2026.

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