Peevishness Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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peevishness

[ˈpiːvɪʃnəs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

behavior

Peevishness refers to the quality of being easily irritated or annoyed.

Synonyms

crankiness, grumpiness, irritability.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
peevishness	Used to describe a tendency to be easily annoyed or irritated, often for trivial reasons. His peevishness over the smallest things made it difficult to work with him. The child's peevishness became evident when she didn't get her way.
irritability	Refers to a more general tendency to become easily annoyed or angered, often used in clinical or medical contexts. Her medication seemed to be causing irritability. Increased irritability is often a symptom of stress.
crankiness	Typically refers to a temporary state of being upset or irritable, often due to fatigue or discomfort. After staying up all night, Sarah's crankiness was understandable. His crankiness always increases when he skips his morning coffee.
grumpiness	Describes a general mood of being bad-tempered or sullen, often with a touch of humor. Can be perceived as less severe than other terms. Despite his grumpiness, everyone at the office still liked him. Morning grumpiness seems to be a family trait.

Examples of usage

She couldn't stand his constant peevishness.
Her peevishness was evident in her short temper.
The peevishness of the child was exhausting for the parents.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

personality trait

Peevishness can also be a habitual or characteristic manner of being irritable or short-tempered.

Synonyms

cantankerousness, surliness, touchiness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
peevishness	Peevishness is used when someone is easily irritated or annoyed, often over small or trivial matters. After a long day at work, her peevishness was evident when she snapped at her family for minor things
surliness	Surliness refers to being bad-tempered and unfriendly. It usually implies a more intense and visible negativity. Her surliness was apparent when she answered all questions with short, curt responses, making everyone feel unwelcome
cantankerousness	Cantankerousness describes a person who is difficult to deal with, often grumpy and uncooperative. The old man’s cantankerousness made him unpopular with his neighbors, as he would always find something to complain about
touchiness	Touchiness describes someone who is easily offended or sensitive to criticism; it often involves reacting strongly to perceived slights. Due to his touchiness, even the mildest constructive feedback would make him defensive and upset

Examples of usage

His peevishness was a result of his stressful job.
The teacher's peevishness made her difficult to approach.
The peevishness in his tone was unmistakable.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Studies show that chronic irritability can be linked to various emotional disorders, highlighting its significance in mental health discussions.
People expressing high levels of peevishness often experience increased stress, which can affect their relationships and overall well-being.

Literature

Peevishness is a theme in numerous literary works, especially in character studies illustrating human emotions.
Authors like Jane Austen often depicted peevish characters to explore social interactions and personal conflicts.

Pop Culture

In films and series, peevish characters often serve as comic relief, contrasting with more cheerful characters.
Peevishness can be a running joke in family comedies, representing everyday frustrations we all can relate to.

Language

Synonyms for peevishness include crankiness, irritability, and testiness, showcasing the rich vocabulary in expressing annoyance.
The concept of peevishness varies across cultures, with some languages having unique words capturing specific moods related to this feeling.

Origin of 'peevishness'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from 'peeve', which means to annoy, combined with the suffix '-ish', indicating a tendency or quality.
It first appeared in the early 17th century in English literature, referring to a nagging or irritable disposition.

The word 'peevishness' originated from the Middle English word 'pevisch,' which meant 'silly, foolish.' Over time, it evolved to mean 'easily irritated or annoyed.' The term reflects the human tendency to display irritability or short-temperedness in certain situations.