shrewish
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Derived 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
Costa-Jackson goes for a broadly comic and oddly shrewish Musetta, setting aside charm and seductiveness in a role that is set up to walk off with the show in her pocket and often does.
From Seattle Times • Oct. 18, 2021
A woman fights back when her fiance’s shrewish mother tries to destroy their relationship.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 19, 2019
“Now that is a thing I have not heard for a long time,” she said sharply, and Wang Lung saw a handsome, shrewish, high-colored face looking out at him.
From "The Good Earth" by Pearl S. Buck
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.
