snappish

/'snæpiʃ/

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Word: Snappish

Part of Speech: Adjective

Definition: The word "snappish" describes a way of speaking that is sharp, quick, and often a bit rude or irritated. When someone is snappish, they may respond to questions or comments in a way that sounds angry or annoyed, even if they don't mean to be very harsh.

Usage Instructions:

• Use "snappish" to describe someone's tone or attitude, especially when they seem impatient or short-tempered.
• It’s often used in situations where someone is feeling overwhelmed or frustrated.

Example:

• "When I asked her if she needed help, she gave me a snappish reply, saying she could handle it herself."

Advanced Usage:

• In more advanced contexts, you could describe a situation as "snappish" when discussing interpersonal dynamics, such as in a workplace or family setting, where stress levels are high, leading to shorter tempers.

Word Variants:

• Snappishly (adverb): This describes how someone speaks in a snappish manner.
  • Example: "He answered snappishly, which made the conversation uncomfortable."
• Snappishness (noun): This refers to the quality of being snappish.
  • Example: "Her snappishness was evident during the meeting."

Different Meaning:

While "snappish" primarily refers to a tone of voice or attitude, it can also describe someone who is quick to react sharply in other situations, not just in conversation.

Synonyms:

• Irritable
• Short-tempered
• Testy
• Grumpy
• Cranky

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• "Bite someone's head off": This idiom means to respond to someone in a very snappish or aggressive way, often without a good reason.

  • Example: "I only asked her to pass the salt, but she bit my head off!"

• "Snap at someone": This phrasal verb means to speak to someone in a snappish manner.

Academic

Adjective

1. apt to speak irritably
   • a snappish tone of voice

Synonyms

• snappy