snappish

[snap-ish]

See more synonyms for snappish on Thesaurus.com

adjective

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.

Origin of snappish

First recorded in 1535–45; snap + -ish¹

Related formssnap·pish·ly, adverbsnap·pish·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for snappish

angry, cantankerous, crabby, cranky, curt, irritable, touchy, captious, cross, edgy, irascible, peevish, petulant, short, testy, splenetic

Examples from the Web for snappish

Historical Examples of snappish

You're one of the crew, I suppose, and you needn't be so snappish.
The Wizard of the Sea
Roy Rockwood
They are half-wild, snappish, and surly, as it is possible for dogs to be.
The Forest Exiles
Mayne Reid
"He's only a snappish little demon, and you spoil him so," said the other voice.
The Marriage of Elinor
Margaret Oliphant
He hates it; and when I tried to force him to-day, he was that sharp and snappish I was afraid.
Divided Skates
Evelyn Raymond
The cutlets of Alphonse were subject to snappish criticism. '
The Adventures of Harry Richmond, Complete
George Meredith

Word Origin and History for snappish

adj.

"peevish," 1540s, from snap (v.) + -ish. Related: Snappishly; snappishness.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper