Definition

1. Noun:
   • A disposition to exhibit uncontrolled anger: A state or quality of being easily annoyed or angered, often characterized by frequent, petty irritability.
   • An irritable petulant feeling: The specific feeling of being cross, fretful, or in a bad mood.

Usage

• Peevishness is an uncountable noun describing a general irritable temperament or a temporary state of irritation.
• It is a formal term often used to describe a person's characteristic mood or a specific instance of such a mood.

Examples

• Noun:
  • His constant peevishness made him difficult to work with. (This describes his general irritable disposition.)
  • She apologized for her peevishness, blaming it on a lack of sleep. (This describes a temporary irritable feeling.)

Advanced Usage

• "with peevishness": in a manner showing irritation.
  • He answered the question with obvious peevishness.
• The term often implies that the anger or irritation is unreasonable or disproportionate to the cause.

Variants and Related Words

• Peevish (adj): Easily irritated, especially by unimportant things.
  • a peevish child
• Peevishly (adv): In a peevish manner.
  • He sighed peevishly.

Synonyms

• Irritability: The quality of being easily annoyed.
• Petulance: Childish bad temper.
• Testiness: The state of being touchy and quick to anger.
• Crankiness: Informal term for irritability.

Antonyms

• Good humor: A cheerful, amiable state of mind.
• Patience: The capacity to accept delay or annoyance without getting angry.
• Equanimity: Calmness and composure, especially in difficult situations.

Idioms and Phrases

• While there is no common idiom using the exact word peevishness, the state is often described with phrases like:
  • In a pet: In a fit of petty annoyance.
  • To have a short fuse: To be easily angered.

Noun

1. a disposition to exhibit uncontrolled anger
   • his temper was well known to all his employees
2. an irritable petulant feeling