peevish

[ pee-vish ]

/ ˈpi vɪʃ /

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See synonyms for: peevish / peevishness on Thesaurus.com

adjective

cross, querulous, or fretful, as from vexation or discontent: a peevish youngster.

showing annoyance, irritation, or bad mood: a peevish reply; a peevish frown.

perverse or obstinate.

OTHER WORDS FOR peevish

1 petulant, irritable, snappish.

See synonyms for peevish on Thesaurus.com

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Question 1 of 7

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of peevish

1350–1400; Middle English pevysh of unknown origin

synonym study for peevish

1. See cross.

OTHER WORDS FROM peevish

pee·vish·ly, adverbpee·vish·ness, nounun·pee·vish, adjectiveun·pee·vish·ly, adverb

un·pee·vish·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use peevish in a sentence

In order to have sunlight at home, it is not enough negatively to abstain from fault-finding and general peevishness.
How to be Happy Though Married|E. J. Hardy.
"The police ought to stop it, I tell you," Willie insisted, with a peevishness that was like a dash of vinegar.
What Will People Say?|Rupert Hughes
Pet, pet, n. a sudden fit of peevishness or slight passion: ill-humour.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R)|Various
If she were hard pressed she emitted a pathetic peevishness that rendered further argument impossible.
The Necromancers|Robert Hugh Benson

They must be chastised out of their peevishness and lashed into obedience .
Andrew Marvell|Augustine Birrell

British Dictionary definitions for peevish

peevish

/ (ˈpiːvɪʃ) /

adjective

fretful or irritablea peevish child

obsolete perverse

Derived forms of peevish

peevishly, adverbpeevishness, noun

Word Origin for peevish

C14: of unknown origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

peevish

OTHER WORDS FOR peevish

Origin of peevish

synonym study for peevish

OTHER WORDS FROM peevish

Words related to peevish

How to use peevish in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for peevish

Derived forms of peevish

Word Origin for peevish