Cantankerous: meaning, definitions and examples
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cantankerous
[ kænˈtæŋkərəs ]
behavior
bad-tempered, argumentative, and uncooperative
Synonyms
cranky, cross, grumpy, irascible, ornery
Examples of usage
- He had a cantankerous expression on his face.
- I try to avoid talking to him when he's feeling cantankerous.
- The cantankerous old man refused to help anyone.
object
difficult to handle or control
Synonyms
obstinate, recalcitrant, stubborn, unmanageable, unruly
Examples of usage
- The cantankerous old printer kept jamming.
- She struggled with the cantankerous lock on the door.
Translations
Translations of the word "cantankerous" in other languages:
🇵🇹 irritável
🇮🇳 चिड़चिड़ा
🇩🇪 streitsüchtig
🇮🇩 pemarah
🇺🇦 дратівливий
🇵🇱 kłótliwy
🇯🇵 怒りっぽい
🇫🇷 irascible
🇪🇸 irritable
🇹🇷 huysuz
🇰🇷 성미가 급한
🇸🇦 مشاكس
🇨🇿 hašteřivý
🇸🇰 hašterivý
🇨🇳 脾气暴躁的
🇸🇮 prepiren
🇮🇸 þrætugjarn
🇰🇿 ашулы
🇬🇪 ჯიუტი
🇦🇿 əsəbi
🇲🇽 irritable
Word origin
The word 'cantankerous' is believed to have originated in the 18th century. It is thought to be a combination of 'contentious' and 'rancorous'. Over time, 'cantankerous' has come to describe someone who is bad-tempered, argumentative, or difficult to deal with. The word has retained its negative connotation and is commonly used in English to describe a person or object that is uncooperative or hard to manage.