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.

An example he cited was Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory beleaguered by a temperamental power grid and excluded from congressional and presidential elections.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

The technical areas will also be interesting with Tudor in opposition to the animated, temperamental and vastly experienced Diego Simeone.

From BBC • Mar. 9, 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

You may indeed call it a temperamental difference, but I venture we are talking about something rather more.

From "The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro

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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