snappish
/'snæpiʃ/
Definition
Adjective: 1. Easily irritated and inclined to speak sharply or curtly: Describes a person or their manner of speech that is quick to show annoyance or anger, often resulting in short, impatient replies. 2. Irritable in manner or tone: Characterized by a sharp, impatient, or ill-tempered quality.
Usage
The adjective "snappish" is used to describe someone's temporary mood or habitual temperament when they are irritable and respond with sharp, curt remarks. It often modifies nouns like "tone," "voice," "reply," "mood," or "person."
Examples
- Describing a person's mood or behavior:
- She was tired and had become quite snappish with her colleagues.
- Don't be so snappish; I was just asking a simple question.
- Describing speech or tone:
- His snappish reply made everyone in the room uncomfortable.
- I could hear the snappish tone in her voice even over the phone.
Advanced Usage
- Comparative and Superlative Forms: "snappisher," "snappishest" (though "more snappish" and "most snappish" are more commonly used).
- He gets more snappish when he's under pressure.
- Adverb Form: "snappishly"
- "Not now," she said snappishly, without looking up from her work.
Variants and Related Words
- Snap (verb): To speak sharply or irritably. This is the root verb from which "snappish" is derived.
- He snapped at the waiter for being slow.
- Snappy (adjective): While it can mean "irritable," it more commonly means "briskly quick" or "stylishly smart."
- Keep it snappy; we're on a tight schedule. (meaning quick)
- He wore a snappy new suit. (meaning stylish)
Synonyms
- Irritable: Easily annoyed or angered.
- Curt: Rudely brief in speech or manner.
- Testy: Easily irritated; impatient and somewhat bad-tempered.
- Crabby: Irritable and grouchy.
- Short-tempered: Having a tendency to lose patience or anger quickly.
Antonyms
- Good-natured: Kind, patient, and not easily angered.
- Amiable: Having a friendly and pleasant manner.
- Patient: Able to accept delays or problems without becoming annoyed.
- Genial: Friendly and cheerful.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- To have a short fuse: To be easily angered. This idiom conveys a similar idea of quick irritability as "snappish."
- Be careful what you say to him today; he's got a short fuse.
Adjective
-
apt to speak irritably
-
a snappish tone of voice
-
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