Cantankerous
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /kænˈtæŋkəɹəs/ · Part of speech adjective
Quick meaning: Cantankerous is an adjective meaning Given to or marked by an ill-tempered, quarrelsome nature; ill-tempered, cranky, crabby.
Meaning
Given to or marked by an ill-tempered, quarrelsome nature; ill-tempered, cranky, crabby.
Example Sentences
The normally cantankerous media did not complain.
Nina was thrilled, muttering her cantankerous joy that I was getting out of the house.
Unfortunately, as Great-Aunt Bert could be a bit cantankerous, they were having to be creative.
By contrast, cantankerous and churlish people are contemptuously independent of others’ opinions, not caring enough about others and their views.
Synonyms for cantankerous
Depending on context, synonyms include cranky, crotchety, atrabilious, bad-tempered, bilious, bitchy.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include ornery, crotchety, ill-natured, stubborn, bloody-minded, testy.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.