Synonyms of irascible

irascible

adjective

i-ˈra-sə-bəl 

as in irritable

easily irritated or annoyed

forced to endure a memorably irascible boss on her first job after college

Synonyms & Similar Words

• irritable
• fiery
• peevish
• petulant
• crotchety
• snappish
• grumpy
• grouchy
• waspish
• choleric
• testy
• pettish
• crabby
• snarky
• short-tempered
• passionate
• cranky
• raspy
• cross
• snippy
• cantankerous
• quick-tempered
• out of humor
• sensitive
• out of sorts
• stuffy
• ornery
• curmudgeonly
• prickly
• perverse
• querulous
• pugnacious
• dyspeptic
• surly
• disagreeable
• ratty
• bilious
• belligerent
• contentious
• snarly
• combative
• snippety
• ill-tempered
• fretful
• short
• snappy
• bellicose
• quarrelsome
• truculent
• argumentative
• sulky
• fractious
• ill-humored
• tetchy
• sullen
• ill-natured
• disputatious
• cross-grained
• scrappy
• pouty
• huffy
• bearish
• touchy
• thin-skinned
• off-color
• hot-blooded

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• affable
• gregarious
• friendly
• outgoing
• genial
• amiable
• cordial
• companionable
• sociable
• extroverted
• sweet
• good-natured
• agreeable
• easygoing
• carefree
• good-tempered
• patient
• relaxed
• well-disposed
• stoic
• tolerant
• long-suffering
• forbearing
• uncomplaining
• understanding
• obliging
• happy-go-lucky

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of irascible

Graham, who died unexpectedly on July 11 at age 71, was equally irascible and incorrigible. — Philip Elliott, Time, 28 July 2026

Julian Dennison stars as the troubled Ricky Baker, a kid who ends up on the run with an irascible old man, played by Sam Neill. — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 14 July 2026

Neill starred in the first two seasons of Peaky Blinders as Chester Campbell, an irascible and ruthless inspector charged with rooting out organized crime in Birmingham. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 13 July 2026

For the first time, that includes In Living Color vet Kim Wayans, going large as irascible hospital staffer Nurse Ratchett. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2026

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!