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 The question for Britain is whether his easygoing charm and gift for communication will be enough to successfully lead a grumpy, stagnant country that has already had six prime ministers since the Brexit referendum in 2016. — Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 19 June 2026 So that journey from being an embittered, grumpy, individual turns into something incredibly progressive, beautiful and quite life-affirming. — Pat Saperstein, Variety, 14 June 2026 All the usual fun Indy stuff is here – Nazis, treasured artifacts – though the bantering chemistry between Ford's hard-luck hero and Sean Connery as his grumpy dad is off-the-hook spectacular. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 13 June 2026 Following up on his dance moves and silly faces from Trooping the Colour events from years prior, the prince was spotted playfully putting on a grumpy expression during the fly-over. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 13 June 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
  • 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
  • Between a home with three young children and a pediatric clinic crowded with restless kids, the noise at times felt relentless.
    — Dana Suskind, Time, 14 July 2026
  • From the volatile peaks of Mount Etna to the restless Phlegraean Fields near Naples, understanding these unique gas signatures is important for assessing volcanic hazard.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 13 July 2026
Definition of restless
Adjective
  • Everything about it was meant to be a corrective against that straight white, grouchy private detective.
    — Caroline Reilly, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • That Utah rideshare driver, however, was justifiable more grouchy.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Definition of grouchy
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
  • 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
  • Some nervous observers are going so far as to swear off salads and other raw fruits and vegetables until the outbreak has run its course.
    — Nikki McCann Ramirez, Rolling Stone, 16 July 2026
  • But Griffin’s recent donation to Moody is not the only indication Republicans could be more nervous about Florida than the Senate races in other bright-red states.
    — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026
Definition of nervous
Adjective
  • 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
  • But in the meantime, add this tech-device sticker shock to the pile of other inflationary drivers — the price at the pump, noticeably higher grocery bills, rising housing costs (especially in Chicago) — making people cranky.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 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 18 Jul. 2026.

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