testy

adjective

tes·​ty ˈte-stē How to pronounce testy (audio)
testier; testiest
1
: easily annoyed : irritable
2
: marked by impatience or ill humor
testy remarks
testily adverb
testiness noun

Examples of testy in a Sentence

that coworker would be easier to get along with if she weren't so testy all the time
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Pam Bondi spars with Sen Adam Schiff at testy confirmation hearing Pam Bondi, President-elect Trump's pick to lead the DOJ, sparred with Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. Danielle Wallace, Fox News, 22 Jan. 2025 The White House suspended his press credentials in November 2018 after a testy exchange with Trump at a news conference. Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2025 The president, irate over Acosta’s and the network’s coverage, often got into testy exchanges with him or berated him at press conferences and other events. Ted Johnson, Deadline, 17 Jan. 2025 Handling finances after a family member passes is often a testy proposition. Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for testy 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English testif, from Anglo-French, headstrong, from teste head — more at tester entry 2

First Known Use

1523, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of testy was in 1523

Dictionary Entries Near testy

Cite this Entry

“Testy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/testy. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

testy

adjective
tes·​ty ˈtes-tē How to pronounce testy (audio)
testier; testiest
: easily annoyed : irritable
testily adverb
testiness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on testy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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