as in irritable
easily irritated or annoyed
that coworker would be easier to get along with if she weren't so testy all the time
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Recent Examples of testy
The president has been seen by critics as siding too much with Putin and over Zelensky and Ukraine over the war, a sense augmented by a testy blowup in the White House in February during an on-camera press event featuring Trump, Vice President Vance and the Ukrainian leader.
—
Ian Swanson, The Hill, 19 May 2025
In what had already been a physical, testy first seven minutes, as the Pacers were attempting to inbound the ball with 4:32 left, Mathurin appeared to punch Hunter, who was guarding him.
—Joe Vardon, New York Times, 12 May 2025
Still, Sheinbaum rejected Trump’s offer — delivered in a testy telephone call last month — to send the U.S. Army to Mexico.
—Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2025
During the hearing, Noem had a particularly testy exchange with Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA).
—Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for testy
Ian Swanson, The Hill, 19 May 2025
In what had already been a physical, testy first seven minutes, as the Pacers were attempting to inbound the ball with 4:32 left, Mathurin appeared to punch Hunter, who was guarding him.
—Joe Vardon, New York Times, 12 May 2025
Still, Sheinbaum rejected Trump’s offer — delivered in a testy telephone call last month — to send the U.S. Army to Mexico.
—Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2025
During the hearing, Noem had a particularly testy exchange with Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA).
—Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for testy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for testy
Adjective
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Her tone is free-associative, irritable and rat-a-tat.—
Alexandra Jacobs,
New York Times,
1 June 2025
-
When an owner is distracted or irritable from work stress, the dog notices.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
25 May 2025
Adjective
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But, Jackson pairs them with a matching black leotard and a floor-length trench coat, letting all the attention fall on the fiery red pointed pumps.—
Tiana Randall,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
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Mint green and lavender read soothing, while fiery red and deep orange create a dramatic statement.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Testy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/testy. Accessed 27 Jun. 2025.
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