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
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
Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2025
Rangers appreciate the annual cleanups led by climbers, and although some older climbers prefer their status as outlaws, even the cranky big-wall pirates muster for mountain rescues.
—Brad Wieners, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
Elaine Mitchell, who supervised and collected tolls for more than 20 years, says the toll booth experience opens up a window into drivers of every stripe, from the perpetually cranky to those that offer serenades with their money.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2025
Schmidt’s Spring Debut Clarke Schmidt, who saw his schedule delayed by a cranky back, made his spring debut against the Orioles on Tuesday.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cranky
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Adjective
Meanwhile, a cranky back and shoulder fatigue delayed Clarke Schmidt and forced him to start the year on the injured list.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2025
Rangers appreciate the annual cleanups led by climbers, and although some older climbers prefer their status as outlaws, even the cranky big-wall pirates muster for mountain rescues.
—Brad Wieners, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
Elaine Mitchell, who supervised and collected tolls for more than 20 years, says the toll booth experience opens up a window into drivers of every stripe, from the perpetually cranky to those that offer serenades with their money.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2025
Schmidt’s Spring Debut Clarke Schmidt, who saw his schedule delayed by a cranky back, made his spring debut against the Orioles on Tuesday.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cranky
Cite this Entry
“Cranky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cranky. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.
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