Definitions

tetchy

[tech-ee] / ˈtɛtʃ i /

ADJECTIVE

testy

Synonyms

WEAK

annoyed bad-tempered cantankerous captious choleric crabbed cranky cross crotchety edgy exasperated fretful grouchy grumpy impatient irascible mean ornery out of sorts peevish peppery petulant quarrelsome quick-tempered short-tempered snappy splenetic sullen thin-skinned touchy uptight waspish

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.

You get a little tetchy when it comes to laying out the meanings.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2026

When they meet Thursday night in Milan, these tetchy border rivals will have met in the Olympic final seven out of eight times since the sport was introduced at the 1998 Games.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 17, 2026

Porter apologized and expressed remorse for her tetchy behavior.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 28, 2026

Duckett's dismissal, attempting another reverse at Deep, began India's resurgence and sparked more exchanges between the two teams in what has been a tetchy series.

From BBC • Aug. 1, 2025

“Hey,” he says, suddenly tetchy, “I’m paying you, you know.”

From "American Gods" by Neil Gaiman

Vocabulary lists containing tetchy

"The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet," Vocabulary from Act 1

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The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze

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The Red Car to Hollywood

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