Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

curmudgeon

[ker-muhj-uhn] / kərˈmʌdʒ ən /
NOUN
crab
Synonyms
STRONG
bellyacher complainer faultfinder growler grumbler grump sourpuss whiner
WEAK
fusser
NOUN
crank
Synonyms
STRONG
complainer grouch misanthrope
NOUN
griper
Synonyms
WEAK
bear bellyacher bug complainer crab crank crosspatch faultfinder grouser growler grumbler grump kicker malcontent moaner murmurer mutterer sorehead sourpuss whiner
NOUN
grouch
Synonyms
STRONG
bear bellyacher bug crab crank crosspatch faultfinder growler grumbler grump kicker malcontent moaner sorehead sourpuss whiner
WEAK
griper grouser
NOUN
grouser
Synonyms
WEAK
bear bellyacher bug complainer crab crank crosspatch faultfinder griper growler grumbler grump kicker malcontent moaner murmurer mutterer sorehead sourpuss whiner
NOUN
grumbler
Synonyms
STRONG
bear bellyacher bug complainer crab crank crosspatch faultfinder growler grump kicker malcontent moaner murmurer mutterer sorehead sourpuss whiner
WEAK
griper grouser
NOUN
grump
Synonyms
STRONG
bear complainer crab grouch malcontent sorehead sourpuss whiner
NOUN
murmurer
Synonyms
STRONG
bear bellyacher bug complainer crab crank crosspatch faultfinder growler grumbler grump kicker malcontent moaner mutterer sorehead sourpuss whiner
WEAK
griper grouser
NOUN
mutterer
Synonyms
STRONG
bear bellyacher bug complainer crab crank crosspatch faultfinder growler grumbler grump kicker malcontent moaner murmurer sorehead sourpuss whiner
WEAK
griper grouser
NOUN
sorehead
Synonyms
STRONG
bear bellyacher bug complainer crab crank crosspatch faultfinder growler grumbler grump kicker malcontent moaner murmurer mutterer sourpuss whiner
WEAK
griper grouser
NOUN
sourpuss
Synonyms
STRONG
bellyacher crab crank crosspatch faultfinder growler grumbler grump killjoy moaner sorehead whiner
WEAK
griper sulker

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Duvall drew on his inner curmudgeon throughout his career.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 16, 2026

Without their love story, we might never have seen Bill as anything other than a belligerent survivalist and eternal curmudgeon Joel knew him to be.

From Salon • May 26, 2025

Larry is the lying, socially inept, passively offensive curmudgeon you wouldn’t be able to stand in real life.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2024

Willie Nelson’s 152nd album and Benedict Cumberbatch playing a curmudgeon puppeteer in “Eric” on Netflix are some of the new television, movies, music and games headed to a device near you.

From Seattle Times • May 26, 2024

Dad says his uncle was a charming curmudgeon, which I think means grumpy with some niceness thrown in.

From "Crenshaw" by Katherine Applegate

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.