as in irritable
easily irritated or annoyed
extremely waspish, she uses her wit viciously when irritated
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Recent Examples of waspish
Among the waspish regulars of the Algonquin Round Table, Robert Benchley cut a relatively docile figure.
—
New York Times, 11 May 2022
At his waspish best, Mr. Wheatcroft is entertaining on all this.
—Richard Aldous, WSJ, 8 Oct. 2021
The waspish Queen – played by Rebecca Trehearn, whose deliciously withering grandeur would give Marie Antoinette pause — is not, to put it mildly, pleased.
—David Benedict, Variety, 19 Aug. 2021
Once again, waspish commentators noted, an American woman has caused a ruction in the royal family.
—Washington Post, 9 Jan. 2020
Bening is capable of being waspish, consoling, frail, indomitable, and woebegone – sometimes all at once.
—Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 30 May 2018
The book brings to life characters such as the waspish U.S. Army general Joseph Stilwell and the eccentric U.S. ambassador Patrick Hurley.
—Richard Bernstein, Foreign Affairs, 20 Oct. 2014
New York Times, 11 May 2022
At his waspish best, Mr. Wheatcroft is entertaining on all this.
—Richard Aldous, WSJ, 8 Oct. 2021
The waspish Queen – played by Rebecca Trehearn, whose deliciously withering grandeur would give Marie Antoinette pause — is not, to put it mildly, pleased.
—David Benedict, Variety, 19 Aug. 2021
Once again, waspish commentators noted, an American woman has caused a ruction in the royal family.
—Washington Post, 9 Jan. 2020
Bening is capable of being waspish, consoling, frail, indomitable, and woebegone – sometimes all at once.
—Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 30 May 2018
The book brings to life characters such as the waspish U.S. Army general Joseph Stilwell and the eccentric U.S. ambassador Patrick Hurley.
—Richard Bernstein, Foreign Affairs, 20 Oct. 2014
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waspish
Adjective
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When the caffeine wears off, children may have a headache and feel irritable or tired.—
Dr. Mark Corkins,
Boston Herald,
14 Sep. 2025
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He was adopted two weeks later, but after 18 months in his home, Scoob developed a painful skin condition that caused his ears to bleed and left him extremely irritable.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Menu includes dishes like zajiang mian (noodles with a rich pork sauce), spicy noodles with beef and a variety of other tasty, fiery options.—
Brock Keeling,
Oc Register,
19 Sep. 2025
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Mayfield’s fiery competitive style didn’t end when the clock hit triple zeroes.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Waspish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waspish. Accessed 26 Sep. 2025.
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