short fuse
noun
: a tendency to get angry easily : a quick temper
… was seen as the bad guy, the one whose short fuse was scary, destructive and uncontrollable.—
Rick Telander
Rick Telander
short-fused
adjective
… a fiery and short-fused 30-year-old driver as well known for tantrums and bad behavior as he is for being the best rookie in history …
—The New York Times
The New York Times
Examples of short fuse in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Read more: An unusual six months in Congress of long days and short fuses
Passing that legislation was Republican lawmakers' first big hurdle this year.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
After that bruising prelude, the movie introduces us to Mark as a champion who grooves on fighting, especially the winning part, but who at home with his girlfriend, Dawn (Emily Blunt), seems more like a broken soul with a short fuse.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 1 Sep. 2025
Daryl Mitchell is Griff, a veteran conman with a quick wit and a short fuse.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 6 Aug. 2025
Happy's father's untimely death was what led to Happy developing a short fuse, and his bond with his grandma was what first inspired him to take up the game of golf despite his distaste for the pretensions of the sport.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 25 July 2025
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Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
After that bruising prelude, the movie introduces us to Mark as a champion who grooves on fighting, especially the winning part, but who at home with his girlfriend, Dawn (Emily Blunt), seems more like a broken soul with a short fuse.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 1 Sep. 2025
Daryl Mitchell is Griff, a veteran conman with a quick wit and a short fuse.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 6 Aug. 2025
Happy's father's untimely death was what led to Happy developing a short fuse, and his bond with his grandma was what first inspired him to take up the game of golf despite his distaste for the pretensions of the sport.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for short fuse
Cite this Entry
“Short fuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/short%20fuse. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
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