Peevishness: meaning, definitions and examples

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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 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