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
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
Keiber snaps and snarls; Wirt plays Carl as an uber-nerd; Diana Bologna and Courtney Desmond are unpleasantly shrewish as the men's spouses; and Mackenzie Westmoreland is sweet but awkwardly cartoonish as a brain-damaged veteran.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 19, 2018
“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
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