cranky

[krang-kee] / ˈkræŋ ki /

ADJECTIVE

in bad mood

Synonyms

STRONGEST

cantankerous grouchy grumpy irascible irritable ornery ugly

WEAK

bad-humored bearish choleric crabby cross crotchety cussed disagreeable got up on wrong side of bed hot-tempered ill-humored like a bear mean out of sorts perverse quick-tempered ratty snappish tetchy vinegary

Antonyms

STRONGEST

cheerful happy nice pleasant

WEAK

amiable

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 can certainly see the market get cranky about that.”

From MarketWatch • May 20, 2026

I’m not cranky or moody, I’m not scattered or stressed.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 16, 2026

"Let's just get pizza back at the house," he sighed - the kids were getting cranky and needed a shower.

From BBC • Dec. 15, 2025

You ever go through a cranky traditionalist phase?

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 11, 2025

But even for a mule he was a little bit cranky.

From "Life Is So Good" by George Dawson

Vocabulary lists containing cranky

Rules

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