1
as in irritable
easily irritated or annoyed
a grumpy neighbor whose yard we had long ago learned not to trespass
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in restless
given to complaining a lot
the baby's sure to be grumpy if she doesn't get her afternoon nap
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of grumpy
Twenty-six years after Home Improvement wrapped, the actress joined her former cast mates Richard Karn and Patricia Richardson in a scene in which Allen's grumpy protagonist Matt Parker begrudgingly attends a grief support group frequented by Charlotte (Nancy Travis).
—
Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2025
Brooks is a grumpy NYPD detective trying to track down the mom, while Higgins is Brooks’ cop partner.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 22 Sep. 2025
The mobiles stir like birds or trees; the stabiles squat, grumpy and irregular, like walruses.
—Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Its grumpy yet cute nature was what really got to me.
—Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grumpy
Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2025
Brooks is a grumpy NYPD detective trying to track down the mom, while Higgins is Brooks’ cop partner.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 22 Sep. 2025
The mobiles stir like birds or trees; the stabiles squat, grumpy and irregular, like walruses.
—Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Its grumpy yet cute nature was what really got to me.
—Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grumpy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grumpy
Adjective
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Emery was irritable at full time.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
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Additionally, Owens’ youngest child, Titus, who was just a toddler when his mother died, was confused, irritable and inconsolable in the weeks after her death, Dias shared.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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While some dog owners struggle with restless nights due to snoring or space-hogging canines, others, like the creator of this video, find joy and comfort in the company.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
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After several nights of restless sleep, the man’s patience finally ran out.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Needless to say, Cowboys fans were displeased with the loss, and so was one of the team's Super Bowl winners.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
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Some who were displeased took to the internet.—
Althea Legaspi,
Rolling Stone,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Trying to Kill Each Other' And Walken is marvelous — querulous, petty, cruel — as the Emperor.—
Tom Gliatto,
Peoplemag,
29 Feb. 2024
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Instead, Gerwig and Baumbach promote querulous sloganeering.—
Armond White,
National Review,
19 July 2023
Adjective
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Leah stayed crabby through dinner.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
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Attend the Fiddler Crab Festival Every February over Presidents’ Day weekend, the three-day Fiddler Crab Festival brings crabby fun and community pride to Steinhatchee.—
Skye Sherman,
Southern Living,
5 July 2025
Adjective
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Although Buffalo has allowed just 47 points in its last two games (both losses), the Chiefs offense has people nervous.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
23 Oct. 2025
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Not only are recent graduates nervous that their jobs could be replaced by AI, the application process is also becoming disrupted by the tools.—
Jessica Coacci,
Fortune,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Reeves is a cranky, deadpanning Estragon, wallowing in frustration as his gangly limbs swing, unwillingly turning to his friend but also welcoming the help, the hugs.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Sep. 2025
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But the election highlights a San Francisco in flux and a still cranky, even emboldened electorate as leaders prepare to make tough decisions about the city’s future.—
Janie Har,
Fortune,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grumpy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grumpy. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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