shrewish
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of shrewish
Middle English word dating back to 1325–75; see origin at shrew 1, -ish 1
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.
So is Ms. Jones, even though Mrs. Bennet is a shrewish plague upon her most introverted daughter.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 5, 2026
In private, his demeanor toward staff becomes louder and shrewish, according to new reporting from Axios.
From Washington Times ● Jul. 11, 2023
Grandpa had a bad fall, and his shrewish second wife wants him carted off to a nursing home posthaste.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 14, 2023
A woman fights back when her fiance’s shrewish mother tries to destroy their relationship.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 19, 2019
And on that occasion— “Smith!” screamed the shrewish voice from the telescreen.
From "1984" by George Orwell
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
