Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Irritable and sharp-tongued: Describes a person who is easily annoyed and expresses this annoyance through sharp, critical, or snappish remarks.
   • Characterized by sharp, critical, or spiteful comments: Describes speech, writing, or behavior that is biting, caustic, or maliciously witty.

Usage

The adjective "waspish" is used to describe a person's temperament or the nature of their remarks. It implies a readiness to sting with words, much like a wasp. It is more formal and literary than synonyms like "cranky" or "snappy."

Examples

• Describing a person:
  • After a sleepless night, he was feeling particularly waspish.
  • The critic was known for his waspish reviews.
• Describing speech or behavior:
  • She replied with a waspish comment about his tardiness.
  • The debate was filled with waspish exchanges between the candidates.

Advanced Usage

• "waspish wit": A specific type of humor that is clever but sharp, critical, and often hurtful.
  • Her novels are admired for their waspish wit and social observations.

Variants and Related Words

• Waspishly (adverb): In a waspish manner.
  • "You're late again," she said waspishly.
• Waspishness (noun): The quality of being waspish.
  • His waspishness often alienated his colleagues.

Synonyms

• Prickly: Easily irritated.
• Cantankerous: Bad-tempered and argumentative.
• Caustic: Bitterly sarcastic.
• Spiteful: Showing malicious ill will.

Antonyms

• Good-natured: Kind and patient.
• Genial: Friendly and cheerful.
• Amiable: Having a pleasant manner.

Idioms and Phrases

While there are no common idioms using "waspish" itself, the word is often used in contexts that evoke the metaphor of a stinging insect. - To have a waspish tongue: To be habitually sharp and critical in speech. - Be careful what you say; the editor has a waspish tongue.

Adjective

1. very irritable
   • bristly exchanges between the White House and the press
   • he became prickly and spiteful
   • witty and waspish about his colleagues