1
as in irritable
easily irritated or annoyed
a grumpy neighbor whose yard we had long ago learned not to trespass
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in restless
given to complaining a lot
the baby's sure to be grumpy if she doesn't get her afternoon nap
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of grumpy
Morgan Freeman, 'Million Dollar Baby' (2005) The best picture-winning boxing drama paired up-and-coming boxer Maggie (Hilary Swank) with grumpy reluctant coach Frankie (Clint Eastwood).
—
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
Emmy winner Ray Romano joins as Norm Stinson, a grumpy but skilled veteran coach who knows how to push his players — just not always in the smoothest way.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Feb. 2026
The home crowd, grumpy and disillusioned a few weeks earlier, are now cheering the team off the pitch.
—Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
All the fresh ingredients, inventive recipes, meticulous plating and glorious design means nothing if my food is served by a grumpy waiter or if my water glass is dirty.
—Lynne Sullivan, The Providence Journal, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grumpy
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
Emmy winner Ray Romano joins as Norm Stinson, a grumpy but skilled veteran coach who knows how to push his players — just not always in the smoothest way.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Feb. 2026
The home crowd, grumpy and disillusioned a few weeks earlier, are now cheering the team off the pitch.
—Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
All the fresh ingredients, inventive recipes, meticulous plating and glorious design means nothing if my food is served by a grumpy waiter or if my water glass is dirty.
—Lynne Sullivan, The Providence Journal, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grumpy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grumpy
Adjective
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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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As Houser walked off the field, a few restless fans tossed boos in Houser’s direction.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
This combo means the bed never feels saggy or restrictive, even when sharing it with a restless partner (or dog).—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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That Utah rideshare driver, however, was justifiable more grouchy.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Flockhart is equally supportive of Ford, having expressed her joy at watching her husband’s performance as the grouchy, oft-deadpan therapist.—
Skyler Trepel,
PEOPLE,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Reunion host Andy Cohen was displeased in a Threads post.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
24 Apr. 2026
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Rui Hachimura, who led the Lakers with 15 points on 7-for-10 shooting, was pulled for Thiero just 2½ minutes into the game after Redick was visibly displeased with his veteran forward’s defensive performance, pointing and shouting at Hachimura after calling a timeout.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The American right, too, is in a shifting, querulous state.—
Amy Davidson Sorkin,
New Yorker,
18 Apr. 2026
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In fact, the B-2 bombers were still in the air with hours to go before reaching home when Van Hollen issued his querulous statement.—
Chris Roemer,
Baltimore Sun,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The show followed the destitute Cuylers — father Early, his illegitimate son Rusty, his meth-loving sister Lily, and his crabby grandmother Granny — and their various moneymaking high jinks.—
Eric Vilas-Boas,
Vulture,
18 Mar. 2026
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Lucy Van Pelt Lucy is the crabby kid who always has something up her sleeve.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
In the draft room, Bisciotti looked nervous as the pick approached, worried another team — or even his own GM — might snag Randall.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Some nervous Democrats and their allies worry that language could thwart installation of a Democratic majority in the next Congress.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The often-cranky Jerry Lewis opened up to them multiple times.—
Chris Yogerst,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Apr. 2026
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Nobody wants a cranky lizard on their hands — literally — and the keeper’s careful approach to handling Big Al shows exactly why patience matters.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grumpy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grumpy. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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