grumpy

adjective

ˈgrəm-pē 

grumpier; grumpiest

: moodily cross : surly

grumpily

ˈgrəm-pə-lē 

adverb

grumpiness

ˈgrəm-pē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• choleric
• crabby
• cranky
• cross
• crotchety
• fiery
• grouchy
• irascible
• irritable
• peevish
• perverse
• pettish
• petulant
• prickly
• quick-tempered
• raspy
• ratty
• short-tempered
• snappish
• snappy
• snarky
• snippety
• snippy
• stuffy
• testy
• waspish

Examples of grumpy in a Sentence

Our neighbor is a grumpy old man.

I was feeling grumpy after my long flight.

Recent Examples on the Web

The show has a cast of six, only one of whom (Jef Canter as the grumpy co-worker Charlie) has raced the stage of Playhouse on Park before. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 13 Dec. 2024

His delightful memoir about island living, the joys of collecting, and the relentless passage of time delivers effortless humor and grumpy wisdom. —The Week Us, theweek, 10 Dec. 2024

The Grinch is a green, furry character known for his grumpy attitude and hatred of Christmas. —Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 5 Dec. 2024

The beloved grumpy green creature was first introduced to the world in a 1957 children’s book by Dr. Seuss, and has since inspired three movies and endless streams of merchandise every holiday season. —Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 5 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1778, in the meaning defined above