as in irritability
readiness to show annoyance or impatience
attributed his unusual testiness this morning to being hungry
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Recent Examples of testiness
The Warriors trailed by 11 points after a first quarter notable mostly for some late Golden State testiness.
—
Ron Kroichick, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 Jan. 2026
Corbett said the testiness started in Florida and returned with the team to Charlotte.
—Joseph Person, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
Ron Kroichick, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 Jan. 2026
Corbett said the testiness started in Florida and returned with the team to Charlotte.
—Joseph Person, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for testiness
Noun
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Clutter has been linked to higher stress levels, lower focus, and feelings of tension or irritability, whereas clean and organized spaces are associated with calmness, a sense of control, and even better physical health.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 June 2026
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This is also one of the reasons why chronically high cortisol is associated with anxiety, irritability and trouble focusing.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
30 May 2026
Noun
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That order has been faltering, flouted repeatedly by the powerful who have faced no consequences for aggression, leaving the world overall more dangerous for everyone else.—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2026
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The analyst added that Starlink’s aggression could actually strengthen AST SpaceMobile.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Testiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/testiness. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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