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 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 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 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
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of irritable
Adjective
  • The 16-track set is a truly thrilling journey through the relentless ambition and restless psyche of a young Black woman who’s dedicated her life to navigating the notoriously tumultuous music industry.
    — Kyle Denis, Billboard, 12 Oct. 2026
  • There’s Ho-seok (Sul Kyung-gu), a former SP welder who’s scarred by the aftermath of his firing, and his vibrant and restless wife, Mi-ok (Jeon Do-yeon).
    — E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 12 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 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
  • Any agency whose main product is activity rather than thinking should be very nervous right now; frankly, some of them should have been nervous years ago.
    — Angelica Kopec, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Consumers in the country, nervous about the shaky economy, are loading up on gold jewelry, bars and coins.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 12 Oct. 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 17 Oct. 2026.

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