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 top candidates for California governor clashed over the high costs of gas, housing and homeowner’s insurance in a testy debate Tuesday evening, a fiery exchange that may finally draw voter attention as the June 2 primary election fast approaches.
—
Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
The meeting became testy, Rose said.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
The City of San Diego’s projected $146 million budget deficit became more localized and testy as audience questions generated much of the discussion during the April 15 Pacific Beach Town Council meeting.
—Steven Mihailovich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
Indiana’s defensive coordinator got weirdly testy in response to a compliment by former Bama QB Simpson on the Hoosiers’ Rose Bowl dominance.
—Jason Kirk, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for testy
Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
The meeting became testy, Rose said.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
The City of San Diego’s projected $146 million budget deficit became more localized and testy as audience questions generated much of the discussion during the April 15 Pacific Beach Town Council meeting.
—Steven Mihailovich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
Indiana’s defensive coordinator got weirdly testy in response to a compliment by former Bama QB Simpson on the Hoosiers’ Rose Bowl dominance.
—Jason Kirk, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for testy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for testy
Adjective
-
What are the symptoms of irritable bowel disease?—
Lindy Segal,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Perhaps through feeling more irritable, more anxious, or wanting to isolate.—
Joy Harden Bradford,
AJC.com,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The debris – space rocks known as meteoroids – collides with Earth's atmosphere at high speed and disintegrates, creating fiery and colorful streaks in the sky, according to NASA.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
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By contrast, Perry’s relationship with her fiery mother was defining.—
Pamela Chelin,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Testy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/testy. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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