short fuse

noun

: a tendency to get angry easily : a quick temper
… was seen as the bad guy, the one whose short fuse was scary, destructive and uncontrollable.—Rick Telander
short-fused
ˈshȯrt-ˌfyüzd How to pronounce short fuse (audio)
adjective
… a fiery and short-fused 30-year-old driver as well known for tantrums and bad behavior as he is for being the best rookie in history … —The New York Times

Examples of short fuse in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Be aware of your short fuse as Mars clashes with Jupiter. — Usa Today, USA Today, 4 May 2026 Daryl Mitchell is Griff, a veteran conman with a quick wit and a short fuse. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 6 Aug. 2025 Branch's short fuse can be a liability for the Lions moving forward. — Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025 Continuing the grind of trying to return to the Yankees and giving up moonshot home runs to young prospects in High-A ball can make for a short fuse. — Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for short fuse

Word History

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of short fuse was in 1958

Rhymes for short fuse

See All Rhymes for short fuse

Browse Nearby Words

short-form
short fuse
short game
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Cite this Entry

“Short fuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/short%20fuse. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

short fuse

noun
: a tendency to get angry easily
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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