1
as in clumsy
difficult to use or operate especially because of size, weight, or design
that old typewriter is handy sometimes, but rather cranky these days
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2
as in irritable
easily irritated or annoyed
the baby was cranky after not being fed for hours
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3
as in restless
given to complaining a lot
if cranky children don't appreciate what they already have, then they shouldn't get a thing more
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4
as in funny
different from the ordinary in a way that causes curiosity or suspicion
that's just another of his cranky theories about the CIA
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cranky
Those who watched the livestream set fired off some cranky tweets about her performance, which Charli decided to respond herself the next morning.
—
Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 30 June 2025
The 1972 novel follows the life of mercurial 6-year-old Sophia and her cranky and unsentimental, but loving, grandmother.
—Patrick Sauer, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2025
There isn’t one interesting new character, despite the effort from Hammer, Kerry Washington, Nathan Fillion, and Chris Cooper as Lightning’s cranky new trainer.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 19 June 2025
Think of places where the checkout process could easily become a nightmare if devices go down, causing long lines and impatient, cranky customers.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for cranky
Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 30 June 2025
The 1972 novel follows the life of mercurial 6-year-old Sophia and her cranky and unsentimental, but loving, grandmother.
—Patrick Sauer, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2025
There isn’t one interesting new character, despite the effort from Hammer, Kerry Washington, Nathan Fillion, and Chris Cooper as Lightning’s cranky new trainer.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 19 June 2025
Think of places where the checkout process could easily become a nightmare if devices go down, causing long lines and impatient, cranky customers.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for cranky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cranky
Adjective
-
Dream plays are difficult to execute—whimsy is easily crushed by clumsy handling.—
Helen Shaw,
New Yorker,
25 July 2025
-
Despite a clumsy apology tour, Hogan was never able to completely shake his darkest moment.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
Adjective
-
Despite its self-destructive proclivities, the irritable giant has managed to make, and keep, a friend.—
Robin George Andrews,
New York Times,
22 July 2025
-
Determined to make a clean SPF, Brown says a chemical formula was out of the question (chemical sunscreens are often thought to be unsafe for the coral reef and irritable to sensitive skin types).—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
Any more info would spoil a twisty, richly visual tale, yet Pacino is upfront that the film’s claustrophobic feelings were a result of feeling creatively restless during COVID.—
William Earl,
Variety,
24 July 2025
-
Since college dorm rooms often lack temperature control (hello, restless nights), the removable fabric cover offers moisture-wicking properties that actively pull heat away from the body, allowing your student to stay cool and comfortable.—
Cheryl Fenton,
Parents,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
When something bad happens, five seconds later, something funny in life happens.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
31 July 2025
-
Chuck Lorre is back with yet another laugh-out-loud funny show to add to his TV universe.—
Carson Blackwelder,
People.com,
31 July 2025
Adjective
-
The house was a little awkward and needed some work, including in the living room, which had a mix of original wood flooring and vinyl.—
Thomas Fuller,
New York Times,
24 July 2025
-
Once Mercury goes direct on Aug. 11, the awkward conversations or delays with friends or teammates start to smooth out.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
The video, showcasing the grumpy but determined pup, has racked up an astonishing 2.4 million likes and 16.6 million views.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 July 2025
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Timeless talent Abigail Spencer has a new gig: being the sunshine to Josh Charles’ grumpy.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
7 July 2025
Adjective
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Sony and Microsoft and the PC world can keep playing the cutting-edge hardware competition while Nintendo luxuriates in its bizarre boutique silo, unbothered, moisturized, in its lane, consistently content with winning its own solo race.—
Mitch Wallace,
Forbes.com,
28 July 2025
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President Donald Trump shared a bizarre meme Saturday morning depicting himself and Vice President JD Vance chasing former President Barack Obama in an altered photo from O.J. Simpson’s infamous white Bronco police chase.—
Muri Assunção,
New York Daily News,
26 July 2025
Adjective
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Developers have complained for years that the city’s cumbersome construction permitting process takes far too long, adding costs to projects.—
John Aguilar,
Denver Post,
22 July 2025
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The best thing of all are the performances of early American folk songs that the two men record on cumbersome equipment.—
Taylor Antrim,
Vogue,
21 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cranky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cranky. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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