as in irritability
readiness to show annoyance or impatience
attributed his unusual testiness this morning to being hungry
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of testiness
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 testiness
Adjective
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 testiness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for testiness
Noun
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Common issues include sleep problems, appetite loss, irritability, and mood swings.—
Sarah Jividen,
Verywell Health,
26 June 2025
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Dehydration can worsen feelings of anxiety and irritability.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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But a new wrench is thrown into the works in the form of an irritable downstairs neighbor.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
27 June 2025
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And getting swept at home by a losing club, the Miami Marlins, would make anyone a tad irritable and hypersensitive.—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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Northrop Grumman saw some fiery drama during a test of a more powerful version of the solid rocket booster that would be used if NASA’s Artemis program ever gets to its ninth launch using the beleaguered Space Launch System rocket.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 June 2025
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The first week of summer is wrapping up after searing, triple digit heat in the East, a flurry of deadly lightning strikes that sent dozens to hospitals and fiery debates over the future of some of the nation's public lands.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
27 June 2025
Noun
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Omar Havana/Getty Images Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has formally approved the creation of a special international tribunal to prosecute senior Russian officials for the crime of aggression tied to the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 June 2025
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There is no statute of limitation on the crime of aggression.—
Molly Quell,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Testiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/testiness. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
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