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.

There was tetchiness and a few cross words as India dropped three catches - Abhishek Sharma guilty of one particularly poor fumble - and a missed run-out chance.

From BBC • Mar. 1, 2026

Most objectionable may be the central character, frustrated film director Ben Braxton, played with twitchy tetchiness by Hamish Linklater.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 16, 2026

After some early tetchiness and a few physical pratfalls, the two men gradually begin to thaw, bonding in ways that may elicit both an “aww” and a raised eyebrow.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 10, 2019

Bale’s easy-going demeanor has contrasted with the tetchiness of a tense Ronaldo..

From Washington Times • Jul. 4, 2016

Through 1935, the twenty-seven-inch had exhibited a persistent tetchiness that kept grad students and technicians busy troubleshooting in its innards for hours on end.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik