as in irritable
easily irritated or annoyed
that coworker would be easier to get along with if she weren't so testy all the time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 testy
Evans also mentioned how in a heightened political environment, surroundings could get testy rather quickly.
—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2026
Robinson started this past Saturday, when the team fell 2-1 in a physical, testy battle against Germany in its final send-off match before the Americans’ first group-stage game.
—
Jim Sciutto,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
The two candidates vying for Fulton County Commission chair repeatedly questioned each other’s motives Monday during a testy debate ahead of their runoff election.
—
Shaddi Abusaid,
AJC.com,
2 June 2026
This is a testy day for romance.
—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for testy
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2026
Robinson started this past Saturday, when the team fell 2-1 in a physical, testy battle against Germany in its final send-off match before the Americans’ first group-stage game.
—
Jim Sciutto,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
The two candidates vying for Fulton County Commission chair repeatedly questioned each other’s motives Monday during a testy debate ahead of their runoff election.
—
Shaddi Abusaid,
AJC.com,
2 June 2026
This is a testy day for romance.
—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for testy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for testy
Adjective
-
The symptoms are so delayed that people often blame them on food poisoning, irritable-bowel syndrome, gluten intolerance.
-
Cancer could be affectionate and chatty one moment, and withdrawn and irritable the next, with little to no explanation.
Adjective
-
Our previous card featured the fiery destruction of the Missouri Pacific depot in 1909.
-
And the hottest of the bunch, the green, is a fiery combination of both jalapeños and green habaneros.
Cite this Entry
“Testy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/testy. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
