shrewish
having the disposition of a shrew.
Origin of shrewish
1Other words from shrewish
- shrew·ish·ly, adverb
- shrew·ish·ness, noun
- un·shrew·ish, adjective
Words Nearby shrewish
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use shrewish in a sentence
As played by Jessalyn Gilsig, Terri is “the shrewish, nagging wife from hell,” as Maureen Ryan of the Chicago Tribune wrote.
I could have borne a shrewish tongue better, possibly because I could have answered it better.
Rhoda Fleming, Complete | George MeredithThe door opens and his landlady—a shrewish, sharp faced woman of 40—appears.
A Parody Outline of History | Donald Ogden StewartThe baronet was a pale-faced, hunchback, lame creature, with a shrewish expression and a pair of brilliant grey eyes.
The Pagan's Cup | Fergus HumeShe paused to take breath, and to look with shrewish triumph at the girl who leaned against the wall.
Audrey | Mary Johnston
Yet with all this energy she is not shrewish, but a calm, grave woman, in much request in sick rooms or wherever there is trouble.
George Eliot | Mathilde Blind
British Dictionary definitions for shrewish
/ (ˈʃruːɪʃ) /
(esp of a woman) bad-tempered and nagging
Derived forms of shrewish
- shrewishly, adverb
- shrewishness, noun
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
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