irritable

[ir-i-tuh-buhl] / ˈɪr ɪ tə bəl /

ADJECTIVE

bad-tempered, crabby

Synonyms

STRONGEST

annoyed contentious exasperated fractious petulant prickly resentful surly testy

WEAK

bearish brooding cantankerous carping choleric complaining crabbed cross crotchety disputatious dissatisfied dyspeptic easily offended fiery fretful fretting gloomy grouchy grumbling hasty hot huffy hypercritical ill-humored irascible moody morose out of humor oversensitive peevish plaintive querulous quick-tempered sensitive snappy snarling tense touchy

Antonyms

STRONGEST

happy pleasant

WEAK

cheerful nice

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.

A person may also become extremely confused and paranoid, easily upset, moody and irritable.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 3, 2026

AbbVie cut the list price of Linzess, a treatment for irritable bowel syndrome, by about 50%, to $282 a month.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 29, 2026

Djokovic, aiming for a standalone record 25th Grand Slam singles title, was wayward, error-strewn and irritable against the inspired Italian in front of a stunned crowd.

From BBC • Jan. 28, 2026

He broke the Dutchman again on his opening serve in the second set and moved to 4-2, but it was a struggle and he became noticeably more irritable.

From Barron's • Jan. 24, 2026

The senator’s entourage laughed, but he shushed them with an irritable wave of his hand.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam

irritable

Example Sentences

Related Words