1
as in irritable
easily irritated or annoyed
a grumpy neighbor whose yard we had long ago learned not to trespass
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Its grumpy yet cute nature was what really got to me.
—
Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
The puns are enough to make even the grumpiest of reporters giggle.
—David Wysong, Cincinnati Enquirer, 3 Sep. 2025
Sebastian Rousseau is a grumpy pilot who is entirely too good with his hands, not to mention sexy AF.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Which only makes her grumpier than usual.
—Judy Berman, Time, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grumpy
Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
The puns are enough to make even the grumpiest of reporters giggle.
—David Wysong, Cincinnati Enquirer, 3 Sep. 2025
Sebastian Rousseau is a grumpy pilot who is entirely too good with his hands, not to mention sexy AF.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Which only makes her grumpier than usual.
—Judy Berman, Time, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grumpy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grumpy
Adjective
-
However, such symptoms are hard to attribute to vaccines because infants can be irritable or fussy regardless of vaccination.—
Aria Bendix,
NBC news,
19 Sep. 2025
-
When the caffeine wears off, children may have a headache and feel irritable or tired.—
Dr. Mark Corkins,
Boston Herald,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
For a time, their relationship is perfect, but soon Asle the sailor feels restless, drawn by the call of the sea, leaving Gerd alone with their child in the village.—
Annika Pham,
Variety,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The company’s movement language—restless, precise, elastic—has built a home for stories that were long told elsewhere, or not at all.—
Skylar Mitchell,
Essence,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
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,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Barnes is displeased with how the events have ultimately unfolded.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
-
The green-and-gold faithful were again displeased as UTSA took over in Rams territory.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
21 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Trying to Kill Each Other' And Walken is marvelous — querulous, petty, cruel — as the Emperor.—
Tom Gliatto,
Peoplemag,
29 Feb. 2024
-
Instead, Gerwig and Baumbach promote querulous sloganeering.—
Armond White,
National Review,
19 July 2023
Adjective
-
Leah stayed crabby through dinner.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
-
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
-
Now, Darvish will get to pitch in front of a stadium of screaming, hopeful, nervous Cubs fans.—
Jon Greenberg,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
-
If presidents are stars on the stage of world history, vice presidents are nervous understudies hidden away behind the scenes.—
Book Marks
October 2,
Literary Hub,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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 9 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share