1
as in clumsy
difficult to use or operate especially because of size, weight, or design
that old typewriter is handy sometimes, but rather cranky these days
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in irritable
easily irritated or annoyed
the baby was cranky after not being fed for hours
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3
as in restless
given to complaining a lot
if cranky children don't appreciate what they already have, then they shouldn't get a thing more
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in funny
different from the ordinary in a way that causes curiosity or suspicion
that's just another of his cranky theories about the CIA
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cranky
Strangely, no one seems to notice until cranky, grieving widower Sam (Alfred Molina) moves in.
—
Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
By the mid-1980s, King was both a prolific source of inspiration for major auteurs like Brian De Palma, Stanley Kubrick, David Cronenberg, and John Carpenter, and an often cranky critic of their adaptations.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 15 May 2026
Their characters, Tova, a 70-year-old widow, and Cameron, a 30-something searching for his father, become unlikely friends thanks, in part to a cranky and wise octopus named Marcellus (Alfred Molina) who lives in the aquarium where Tova cleans at night.
—ABC News, 7 May 2026
Elon Musk seems tired and cranky.
—Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cranky
Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
By the mid-1980s, King was both a prolific source of inspiration for major auteurs like Brian De Palma, Stanley Kubrick, David Cronenberg, and John Carpenter, and an often cranky critic of their adaptations.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 15 May 2026
Their characters, Tova, a 70-year-old widow, and Cameron, a 30-something searching for his father, become unlikely friends thanks, in part to a cranky and wise octopus named Marcellus (Alfred Molina) who lives in the aquarium where Tova cleans at night.
—ABC News, 7 May 2026
Elon Musk seems tired and cranky.
—Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cranky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cranky
Adjective
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This layout makes the monitor a natural fit for high-traffic environments like banking counters, medical reception desks, and service queues where traditional screen-sharing is often clumsy or compromises privacy.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 June 2026
-
The clumsy third inning from the defense didn’t help Tong, who threw 27 pitches in the frame.—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
They can be withdrawn or irritable.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
14 June 2026
-
While Hockney worked, Auden, as the artist recalled, played the part of the impatient, irritable grump.—
Mark Rozzo,
Vanity Fair,
12 June 2026
Adjective
-
James Boyard, a Haitian police officer and security expert, was abducted Thursday morning in Raimbol in the Bourdon neighborhood as the family traveled through the capital to see a doctor after a restless night caring for their sick daughter.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
14 June 2026
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From Prince Harry and Princess Diana’s matching moments in the late ’80s to Prince Louis’s famously restless balcony appearances, each ceremony has delivered its share of lighthearted highlights.—
Staff Author,
InStyle,
13 June 2026
Adjective
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Other members of the cast contribute some sharp edges and moments that are legitimately funny.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
18 June 2026
-
Someone’s losing their dignity, and that’s funny.—
Jesse David Fox,
Vulture,
18 June 2026
Adjective
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The awkward situation that Thiago is talking about involves receiving the ball with his back to a player who is closing him down at speed from behind.—
Stuart James,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
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Almost nine years after their awkward handshake at the 2017 Bastille Day military parade, the two men politely shook hands and expressed their affinity for each other.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
15 June 2026
Adjective
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The question for Britain is whether his easygoing charm and gift for communication will be enough to successfully lead a grumpy, stagnant country that has already had six prime ministers since the Brexit referendum in 2016.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
19 June 2026
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So that journey from being an embittered, grumpy, individual turns into something incredibly progressive, beautiful and quite life-affirming.—
Pat Saperstein,
Variety,
14 June 2026
Adjective
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Weird neighbors and increasingly bizarre diversions plague every attempt Nameless Hero makes to get down the stairs of his building to the man who’s standing outside.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
14 June 2026
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And in a bizarre twist, a criminal investigation has been opened after three dogs were found dead at the travel trailer where mauling victim Jodi Cowan was living at the time of the fatal attack.—
Natasha Holt,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
Adjective
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When one party controls virtually every lever of power, the incentive to reform a cumbersome system diminishes.—
Matt Klink,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
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The legislation amended a cumbersome, multi-step process for over-the-counter drugs in an effort to create a more efficient system.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cranky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cranky. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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