temperamental

[tem-per-uh-men-tl, -pruh-men-, -per-men-] / ˌtɛm pər əˈmɛn tl, -prəˈmɛn-, -pərˈmɛn- /

ADJECTIVE

moody; irritable

Synonyms

STRONGEST

capricious erratic excitable fickle headstrong high-strung impatient irritable mercurial moody ornery passionate petulant thin-skinned unpredictable unreliable unstable volatile

WEAK

changeable cussed easily upset emotional explosive fiery froward hotheaded hyper hypersensitive in bad mood inconsistent mean neurotic sensitive ticklish touchy uncertain undependable variable willful

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm constant dependable easygoing happy laid-back predictable reliable stable steadfast steady tolerant unchanging unvarying

WEAK

peaceful pleased

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.

I’d also feel temperamental if Saturday Night Live made a meal out of jokes about my turkey neck week after week.

From Slate • Jun. 11, 2026

The temperamental little, yellow fruit with its susceptibility to heavy rain and viruses can be tough to grow, while devastating hurricanes in Jamaica, a prime producer of Scotch bonnets, delivered a further blow.

From BBC • May 31, 2026

"But young stars are so extremely spotty, active, and temperamental, that the Doppler method is a non-starter."

From Science Daily • Jan. 31, 2026

At the other end of the temperamental spectrum is Paul Giamatti, whose perpetually furious Nus Braka, space pirate, has a grudge against the Federation and was instrumental in the imprisonment of Caleb’s mother.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 13, 2026

“Not bad, merely misunderstood. The umdhlebi tree is very old, very wise, and rather temperamental when offended.”

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray

Vocabulary lists containing temperamental

Into the Wild

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The Lightning Thief

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This Week In Culture, April 26–May 2, 2020

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