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Showing results for short fuse. Search instead for shortfuse.
Definitions

short fuse

NOUN
temper
Synonyms
WEAK
acerbity anger annoyance bad humor cantankerousness crossness dander excitability fit fretfulness furor fury grouchiness heat hotheadedness huffiness ill humor impatience irascibility irascibleness ire irritability irritation low boiling point miff outburst passion peevishness petulance pugnacity rage resentment sensitivity slow burn snit sourness spleen stew sullenness surliness tantrum tartness tear temperament tetchiness tiff touchiness wax

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.

The author is a fan of this feminist hero but acknowledges that Rankin was a family tyrant with a short fuse.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 28, 2025

Former Kraken defenseman Jeremy Lauzon played with an aggressive, short fuse that way, always on high alert and ready to instantly respond to the slightest provocation.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 13, 2023

Brad Bannon, a Democratic strategist, didn’t deny that Mr. Biden showed a short fuse with the press, but he chalked it up to the stress and challenges of a tough midterm campaign entering the homestretch.

From Washington Times • Oct. 21, 2022

There is no doubt that graphic illustration of a short fuse will see Nunez's temperament tested now, but this chastening evening will surely form the basis of a vital learning experience.

From BBC • Aug. 15, 2022

Finally the short fuse of his patience burned out.

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss

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