Synonyms of testy

testy

adjective

ˈte-stē 

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

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of testy

Targeting Chinese banks or other institutions could invite retaliation that jeopardizes the two superpowers’ testy trade detente, which began last year after a volatile tariff war. — Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026

Reddington got particularly testy when asking Heilbrun whether the World Health Organization says women can experience postpartum depression and psychosis up to a year after giving birth. — Nbc News, NBC news, 25 Aug. 2026

Things have been testy between the offense and defense in Browns camp, and by now the Cleveland defense has seen just about everything the offense wants to run regardless of who’s under center. — Zac Jackson, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Before things got testy Wednesday night, Messi delivered a few memorable moments. — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026