QUERULOUS Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

querulous

adjective

ˈkwer-yə-ləs

Definition of querulous

as in restless

given to complaining a lot car trips that were frequently spoiled by a couple of querulous passengers in the back

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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 querulous Trying to Kill Each Other' And Walken is marvelous — querulous, petty, cruel — as the Emperor. — Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 29 Feb. 2024 The most salutary change was Kelsey, who turned from Rigoletto to Amonasro, and who gave his trademark smoky tone and aura of threat to a role that, earlier in the month, George Gagnidze had rendered merely tight and querulous. — Zachary Woolfe, New York Times, 11 Jan. 2023 One came across as a quiet, reserved, eloquent, thoughtful force of nature; the other as a boisterous, querulous, troublemaking and sometimes thoughtless and mean force of nature. — Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2022 Today those late, querulous paintings are counted among the most influential American artworks of the twentieth century. — Susan Tallman, The New York Review of Books, 14 Jan. 2021 See All Example Sentences for querulous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for querulous

Adjective

Snapping open and shut the phone satisfied some deep, restless urge, and the same was true for the rotational flourish of the wrist involved in opening and closing the knife.

— Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 17 Oct. 2026
The basal ganglia get better at their job during the first thirty years of life; this is partly why kids are more impulsive and restless than adults.

— Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of restless

Adjective

Murray says her own experience has made her more understanding when female colleagues seem more tired or irritable than usual, particularly when the behavior is out of character.

— Jo Ann Liguori, Flow Space, 21 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of irritable

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

Since the incident, the flamingo has been doing all right physically but is more anxious and nervous when being evaluated, said Peachy’s veterinarian, Tiffany Moore, medical director of Lone Mountain Animal Hospital.

— Jessica Hill, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
As the military-style helicopter hovered above them, attendees from the rural, predominantly Latino community, began to get nervous.

— Philip Wang, Time, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of nervous

Adjective

Somebody in a previous crowd left dissatisfied because Friday’s visit from the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation was a complaint inspection.

— David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2026
Bass is the incumbent, and many Pratt supporters are dissatisfied with her performance, Spencer said.

— Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of dissatisfied

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

Browse Nearby Words

querists

querulous

querulousness

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“Querulous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/querulous. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of querulous

adjective

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