BILIOUS Synonyms: 83 Similar and Opposite Words

bilious

adjective

ˈbil-yəs

Definition of bilious

as in irritable

having or showing a habitually bad temper a bilious old dog who snaps at everyone

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of bilious Even though his bloodwork looked normal six months previously, sudden onset or acute renal failure can happen in an old dog for no apparent reason other than age and result in bilious vomiting. — Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 8 June 2025 Under Nézet-Séguin, the musicians do the job spectacularly, releasing all those bilious harmonies and seething rhythms in an unbroken two-hour spasm of excitement. — Justin Davidson, Vulture, 30 Apr. 2025 And Emily’s side of the family isn't much better, represented by her mean, bilious aunt (Allison Janney, herself no slouch in the hissing-authority department) and her boozy mother (Elizabeth Perkins, replacing Jean Smart from the first film). — Tom Gliatto, People.com, 30 Apr. 2025 The death chamber is nine feet by twelve feet, painted a bilious turquoise. — Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bilious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bilious

Adjective

Just as Depp made to exit the stage, a haunting voice came over the speaker, eerily repeating the irritable man’s name.

— Angelique Jackson, Variety, 23 July 2026
Perelman said people who have weakened immune systems and those with irritable bowel disease may want to talk to their doctors before incorporating the foods into their diet.

— Devi Shastri, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026

Definition of irritable

Adjective

At first, Jack felt angry to know his Parkinson’s was likely linked to service to his country.

— Nicole Borman, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
The Secret Service’s actual procedures turn out to be more like guidelines that can be discarded if the president is sufficiently angry—which, from the standpoint of safeguarding democracy, constitutes a fairly concerning loophole.

— Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026

Definition of angry

Adjective

Still, the internet nurtures these Hobbesian, splenetic views.

— Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 24 May 2026
Meanwhile, the commentator and controversialist Piers Morgan, an obsessively close observer and relentless critic of Meghan, inevitably waded in with his usual splenetic views.

— Sarah Lyall, New York Times, 17 Sep. 2022

Definition of splenetic

Adjective

Mistaking being disagreeable with the act of disagreeing is common - especially in unsafe psychological workplaces.

— Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
There are also a lot of people who have never dreamed of being disagreeable in public, much less considered joining a raucous social movement.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 12 June 2026

Definition of disagreeable

Adjective

Carroll O'Connor played the cantankerous antihero Archie Bunker, legendary for firing off his grumpy, bigoted views.

— Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 12 July 2026
Principle photography is underway in London, with Jurassic Park star Jeff Goldblum sharing his memories of contending with Winston’s cantankerous Tyrannosaurus Rex.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 29 June 2026

Definition of cantankerous

Adjective

In the show, Kyle Chandler plays Hal Jordan, an ornery Green Lantern who is begrudgingly training his upstart protégé (Aaron Pierre).

— Jordan Moreau, Variety, 16 July 2026
Leach also would publicly call out his players and could get ornery when questioned about his team’s shortcomings.

— Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 2 June 2026

Definition of ornery

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bilious

biliousness

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“Bilious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bilious. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of bilious

adjective

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