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Synonyms

snappish

American  
[snap-ish] / ˈsnæp ɪʃ /

adjective

  1. apt to snap or bite, as a dog.

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

  3. impatiently or irritably sharp; curt.

    a snappish reply.


Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of snappish

First recorded in 1535–45; snap + -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.

See Examples For:

Full of snappy and snappish dialogue, the book imagines a carnival-esque week’s idyll in the “shantytown of millionaires” that was 1950s Malibu.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 3, 2024

Sometimes he was snappish, and sometimes just whiny, but always bristling.

From Salon ● Jan. 23, 2024

Lulu has been traumatized by her experiences on the front lines and is skittish and snappish.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 17, 2022

Mr. Trump has been snappish with aides most of the week, according to administration officials, miffed in part by so many ceremonial events not related to him.

From New York Times ● Dec. 5, 2018

Over the course of dinner I notice that she can be snappish and short-tempered, and she likes to be the boss.

From "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline

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