crankier; crankiest
1
a
: given to fretful fussiness : readily angered when opposed : crotchety
Our long wait … left us a tad cranky.—
Connecticut
Connecticut
b
: marked by eccentricity
… his bizarre and cranky mix of ideas and beliefs …—R. J. Evans
R. J. Evans2
: full of twists and turns : tortuous
a cranky road
3
: working erratically : unpredictable
a cranky old tractor
of a boat
Synonyms
Examples of cranky in a Sentence
Adjective (1)
that old typewriter is handy sometimes, but rather cranky these days
the baby was cranky after not being fed for hours
if cranky children don't appreciate what they already have, then they shouldn't get a thing more
that's just another of his cranky theories about the CIA
the man would inflict on innocent bystanders his cranky ruminations on world events
Recent Examples on the Web
Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 17 Oct. 2024
Underneath that, though, the episode builds to a bigger reveal, as the filibuster becomes about more than a cranky politician.
—Matthew Jackson, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2024
The late Dead lyricist Robert Hunter, who could be pretty cranky himself about various aspects of the Dead’s world, music, and culture, had no issues acknowledging Lesh’s presence.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2024
He's depicted in Saturday Night in all his cranky glory by The Americans' Matthew Rhys.
—Olivia B. Waxman, TIME, 27 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cranky 
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Adjective
This stretch of Fifth has comparatively few residents to be cranky about it (beyond a couple of notable mixed-use towers), and virtually no curbside parking to argue about, perhaps defanging the opposition somewhat.
—Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 17 Oct. 2024
Underneath that, though, the episode builds to a bigger reveal, as the filibuster becomes about more than a cranky politician.
—Matthew Jackson, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2024
The late Dead lyricist Robert Hunter, who could be pretty cranky himself about various aspects of the Dead’s world, music, and culture, had no issues acknowledging Lesh’s presence.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2024
He's depicted in Saturday Night in all his cranky glory by The Americans' Matthew Rhys.
—Olivia B. Waxman, TIME, 27 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cranky
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Dictionary Entries Near cranky
Cite this Entry
“Cranky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cranky. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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