as in fiery
easily irritated or annoyed
that irritable old man always yells at people to stay off of his lawn
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of irritable
This can include feeling irritable, having a low frustration tolerance, feeling easily overstimulated, and having rapid shifts in emotion.
—
Korin Miller, SELF, 20 Jan. 2026
Accompanying Rayner through these daily adventures were the irritable duck Chelveston (named after his English bomber base) and the gentle dog puppet Cuddly Dudley.
—Michael Peregrine, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
There was yet another Christmas possession inside Woodstone Mansion this year, but Sam (Rose McIver) came out the other side of this one feeling a little more irritable than usual.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 18 Dec. 2025
A day after an irritable TV interview went viral, an old video surfaced of the former Orange County congresswoman cursing and berating one of her aides.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for irritable
Korin Miller, SELF, 20 Jan. 2026
Accompanying Rayner through these daily adventures were the irritable duck Chelveston (named after his English bomber base) and the gentle dog puppet Cuddly Dudley.
—Michael Peregrine, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
There was yet another Christmas possession inside Woodstone Mansion this year, but Sam (Rose McIver) came out the other side of this one feeling a little more irritable than usual.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 18 Dec. 2025
A day after an irritable TV interview went viral, an old video surfaced of the former Orange County congresswoman cursing and berating one of her aides.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for irritable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irritable
Adjective
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The fiery Tom Yam – a heady mix of gin, coriander, chilli, ginger and lime – is a must.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
12 Mar. 2026
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At least one person had to be taken to the hospital after a fiery crash in Allegheny County.—
Patrick Damp,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Instead, Helen is allowed to be irritable and anti-social, chain-smoking and snappish, without the filmmaker casting judgment.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
2 Sep. 2025
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Harriette Cole: My twins are getting snappish over college acceptance Asking Eric: A cemetery guard ruined my father’s funeral, and that was just the start This includes stating your belief that your explanations may not be believed.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
7 May 2025
Adjective
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The shows were appointment listening because one never knew who or what might set off with the irascible former Bears coach.—
Phil Rosenthal,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
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Under David Ellenstein’s direction, the production stars North Coast Rep veteran James Sutorius as the fading but humorously irascible Steven.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
While grunge seemed peevish, grim, defeatist, and dour—and extended the kind of us-vs.-them culture most famously centered by the indie rock of the ’80s and ’90s, Oasis was celebratory, communal, and democratic while exploring themes of alienation, escape, and fantasies of triumph.—
Corey Seymour,
Vogue,
28 July 2025
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Thousands of people — displaced by disaster, their past lives gone up in smoke — are hostage to the whims of a peevish president who always puts his feelings first and cares nothing for the greater good.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Los Angeles Times,
22 June 2025
Adjective
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If your child acts grumpy and tired after school, wait to ask them how their day was.—
Margery D. Rosen,
Parents,
5 Mar. 2026
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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
Adjective
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That Utah rideshare driver, however, was justifiable more grouchy.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
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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
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Among critics and in press circles, Wahlberg is a bit of a tarnished superstar after that petulant display, but audiences still love their Jack Dawson.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
13 Mar. 2026
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Russell Crowe, 'Gladiator’ (2001) Crowe's Roman warrior Maximus, a general banished to slavery thanks to a petulant young emperor (Joaquin Phoenix) who rises back to glory, is a throwback to old-school Hollywood action heroes that still works.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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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
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Leah stayed crabby through dinner.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Irritable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irritable. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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