as in irritable
easily irritated or annoyed
forced to endure a memorably irascible boss on her first job after college
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 irascible
Nothing adds depth to an irascible curmudgeon quite like an irrational love of pets that do not love you back.
—
Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 3 Dec. 2025
Instead of a caricature, the actor turned Gustav into someone irascible yet charming, softening and conflicted in their golden years.
—Thomas Page, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
Now in its fifth season, the Apple TV drama follows a gang of screw-up spies who are nobody’s idea of the Avengers, led by Gary Oldman’s irascible, flatulent Jackson Lamb.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 29 Oct. 2025
In Fawlty Towers, Scales played the irascible and long-suffering Sybil Fawlty, who was often angered by the bumbling incompetence of husband and hotel manager Basil, played by Cleese.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for irascible
Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 3 Dec. 2025
Instead of a caricature, the actor turned Gustav into someone irascible yet charming, softening and conflicted in their golden years.
—Thomas Page, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
Now in its fifth season, the Apple TV drama follows a gang of screw-up spies who are nobody’s idea of the Avengers, led by Gary Oldman’s irascible, flatulent Jackson Lamb.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 29 Oct. 2025
In Fawlty Towers, Scales played the irascible and long-suffering Sybil Fawlty, who was often angered by the bumbling incompetence of husband and hotel manager Basil, played by Cleese.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for irascible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irascible
Adjective
-
Perhaps through feeling more irritable, more anxious, or wanting to isolate.—
Joy Harden Bradford,
AJC.com,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Had my symptoms maybe been put down to irritable bowel, for example, that could’ve been ongoing and ongoing and ongoing for a much longer period of time.—
Gina Kalsi,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Expect fiery cocktails and spicy bites — plus a few surprise DJ sets for a daytime experience that's as much about the vibe as the drink in your hand.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Your 3rd House of Debate surges as fiery Mars arrives, pushing you to say the important thing plainly — and to move on it soon.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Irascible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irascible. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
