Peevishly Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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peevishly

[ˈpiːvɪʃli ]

Definition

^{Context #1 | Adverb}

used in a sentence

In a way that shows annoyance or irritation, especially over trivial matters.

Synonyms

grumpily, irritably, sulkily, testily.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
peevishly	When someone is easily annoyed or frustrated, often over small issues. She replied peevishly when asked about her day. He peevishly slammed the door.
irritably	When someone reacts in an annoyed or agitated manner, usually due to stress or discomfort. He irritably waved away the mosquito. She spoke irritably because she was tired.
grumpily	When someone is in a bad mood and acting sullenly, especially in response to something unimportant. He woke up grumpily this morning. She grumpily refused to participate.
sulkily	When someone is silently moody and refusing to be cooperative or cheerful, often as a form of passive resistance. The child sat sulkily in the corner after being told off. She answered sulkily, not wanting to admit she was wrong.
testily	When someone responds in a short-tempered or impatient manner, showing signs of anger or irritation. He testily corrected the mistake. She testily remarked that she already knew.

Examples of usage

She answered peevishly, 'I don't know and I don't care.'
He muttered peevishly about the slow service at the restaurant.
Don't speak to me so peevishly, I'm just trying to help.
I could tell from her peevishly tone that she was in a bad mood.
Why are you acting so peevishly today?

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Literature

Peevish characters often appear in literature as a reflection of childhood temper tantrums or adult frustrations.
In Shakespeare's plays, characters often display peevishness during moments of personal conflict, highlighting their inner turmoil.
Modern authors use peevish characters to provide comic relief or to showcase relatable human experiences.

Psychology

People may act peevishly when they feel stressed, overwhelmed, or unable to express deeper emotions.
Studies show that expressing irritation, like peevishness, can be a defense mechanism to protect from vulnerability.
Social psychologists note that peevish behavior can be contagious, affecting the mood of those around the individual.

Pop Culture

Peevish characters are often a staple in sitcoms, providing humor through exaggerated complaints and gripes.
Animated films often include a peevish character to create tension or conflicts that drive the storyline.
Famous TV personalities sometimes adopt a peevish persona to entertain audiences and create comedic moments.

Everyday Use

The word is commonly used in everyday conversations to describe someone who is being difficult or whiny.
It's often invoked in discussions about parenting, where children might display peevishness due to tiredness or hunger.
In workplaces, peevish remarks can signal workplace stress, indicating unresolved issues among team members.

Origin of 'peevishly'

Main points about word origin

The word 'peeve' comes from the 18th century and means to annoy or irritate.
It is derived from the British dialect word 'pevish,' which means 'sullen' or 'cross.'
The suffix '-ishly' indicates the quality of behaving in a certain way, making 'peevishly' mean 'in an annoyed manner.'

The word 'peevishly' originated from the Middle English word 'pevish', meaning 'foolish' or 'silly'. Over time, it evolved to its current usage to describe someone behaving in an irritable or annoyed manner, especially over trivial matters. The adverb 'peevishly' has been in use for centuries to convey this specific tone of annoyance.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #33,842 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

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33839 hick
33840 apostleship
33841 relevantly
33842 peevishly
33843 lobotomy
33844 idolater
33845 regurgitated
...