Synonyms of quick-tempered

quick-tempered

adjective

ˈkwik-ˈtem-pərd 

as in irritable

easily irritated or annoyed

a quick-tempered man who invariably utters threats at any kids who wander into his yard

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of quick-tempered

Suwa is the band’s beloved transmasculine Korean American hero, glamorous and quick-tempered. —Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026

There was the woman who came to every meeting combative and quick-tempered (fight), the one who broke down in tears at every one-on-one and eventually took extended leave (flight), and the one who seemed paralyzed by the sheer volume of work (freeze). —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024

Part of it had to do with Nguyen’s distant relationship with her father, a taciturn and quick-tempered man with whom the author had difficulty connecting. —Barbara Spindel, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Sep. 2023