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grumpy

adjective

ˈgrəm-pē How to pronounce grumpy (audio)
Definition of grumpynext
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

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 grumpy There was another version where Daniela was grumpy and dark, the complete opposite of Maria. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2026 The cast is led by Tolman, with Grier playing the grumpy emergency physician Ron. — Selome Hailu, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026 There were fires to put out; an unbalanced squad, unsettled players, grumpy fans, some truly dispiriting defeats. — George Caulkin, New York Times, 30 July 2026 Cats used to be the internet’s punchline, as grainy clips of keyboard solos and grumpy faces dropped into our feeds for a quick laugh. — Pat Mueller, USA Today, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for grumpy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grumpy
  1. irritable
  2. restless
  3. grouchy
  4. displeased
  5. querulous
  6. crabby
  7. nervous
  8. cranky
Adjective
  • Coach There’s no better feeling than walking into your last show of the day, irritable and hungry, only to discover that snacks are being served.
    — Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 17 Sep. 2026
  • If a relative or housemate seems irritable, ask what’s going on instead of working around the mood.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of irritable
Adjective
  • Maybe beauty's scientists and creators were feeling particularly restless over this past year and wanted to challenge themselves.
    — Elizabeth Siegel, Allure, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Two males and one female, the cubs were restless during vaccinations.
    — Derek Gatopoulos, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of restless
Adjective
  • Hig has bunkered down with a grouchy companion, Bangley (Josh Brolin), who thrives in this harsh world.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Everything about it was meant to be a corrective against that straight white, grouchy private detective.
    — Caroline Reilly, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of grouchy
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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Gael is herself a little nervous, not only about the tension but about leaving Kayden.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Just after the sun melted into the sea a deer trotted by, followed by its more nervous baby.
    — David G. Allan, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of nervous
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

Browse Nearby Words

grumps
grumpy
grungy
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Cite this Entry

“Grumpy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grumpy. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

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