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 Research from as recently as 2019 noted that older women are often relegated to supporting roles onscreen, or are consistently portrayed as grumpy, frumpy, or senile. — Valerie Monroe, Allure, 15 Sep. 2026 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 The cast is led by Tolman, with Grier playing the grumpy emergency physician Ron. — Selome Hailu, Variety, 10 Aug. 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
  • Murray says her own experience has made her more understanding when female colleagues seem more tired or irritable than usual, particularly when the behavior is out of character.
    — Jo Ann Liguori, Flow Space, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Could be because for much of the running time, Abrams’ Jay Gardiner is up against what looks like a very large irritable sphincter.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of irritable
Adjective
  • If restless nights are a pattern, a conversation with your doctor may matter more than what sits in your snack bowl.
    — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Geographically restless and lonely people everywhere are jealous!
    — Shayla Love, Vox, 25 Oct. 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
  • Kraft, his teammates and coaches have been giving the fans plenty to be displeased about.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of displeased
Adjective
  • The Lilliputians are as small-minded as their size and conduct querulous, violent debates about which end of an egg to crack (so obviously similar to the theological complexities of Swift’s own day).
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The American right, too, is in a shifting, querulous state.
    — Amy Davidson Sorkin, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 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
  • That sounds appealing, especially to investors nervous about market declines.
    — Daniel Kern, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Shopkeepers boarded up windows while others opened temporarily and endured a nervous Saturday afternoon, after around 3,000 shops were damaged or looted last weekend.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of nervous
Adjective
  • Both sides get cranky in court filings Prosecutors and the defense have been getting crankier in their court filings.
    — Jeffrey Collins, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Prosecutors and the defense have been getting crankier in their court filings.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 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 1 Nov. 2026.

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