snappish

[ snap-ish ]

/ ˈsnæp ɪʃ /

apt to snap or bite, as a dog.

disposed to speak or reply in an impatient or irritable manner.

impatiently or irritably sharp; curt: a snappish reply.

Nearby words

First recorded in 1535–45; snap + -ish¹

snap·pish·ly, adverbsnap·pish·ness, noun

He had, in fact, been by no means pleased with the commission, and had arrived in an unusually aggressive and snappish humor.
Rujub, the Juggler|G. A. Henty
Now, Duke can be ever so snappish and peevish; I'm not half so much afraid for him.
Magnum Bonum|Charlotte M. Yonge
Old people like me, with the rheumatism, are apt to be snappish.
The Hazeley Family|A. E. Johnson
The temptation to be unreasonable and snappish is one not easy to manage.
A Little Princess|Frances Hodgson Burnett

The herdsman told Hallgerda of the slaying; she was snappish at it, and said much ill would come of it, if she might have her way.
The story of Burnt Njal|Anonymous