cranky
Short-tempered and snappish
Cranky means irritable or bad-tempered, especially from fatigue or discomfort: The baby gets cranky when she's tired.
Adults described as cranky are grouchy or easily annoyed: Don't talk to him before his coffee—he's cranky in the morning.
The word suggests minor, passing irritability rather than deep anger.
A cranky machine is temperamental or unreliable.
Easily provoked to annoyance
- grouchyEasily annoyed, ill-tempered
- grumpyIrritable in temperament
- testyShort-tempered, easily provoked
- peevishHabitually fretful
snappish · short-tempered · touchy · edgy · impatient · sulky · moody · petulant
Bad-tempered and uncooperative
- crotchetyIrritable and complaining
- cantankerousBad-tempered and argumentative
- orneryIll-tempered and stubborn
- crustyHard-shelled, literally or figuratively
gruff · dyspeptic · choleric · splenetic · bilious · sour · dour · disagreeable
Unconventional in character
- quirkyIdiosyncratically unusual
- unconventionalDeparting from standard practice
- oddUnusual or not even
- peculiarStrangely unusual
idiosyncratic · unusual · offbeat · whimsical · capricious · unpredictable · erratic · unorthodox
Excessively particular
- finickyExcessively particular, hard to satisfy
- particularSpecific or fussy
- pickyExcessively selective or particular
- persnicketyExcessively concerned with details
fastidious · demanding · difficult · hard-to-please · high-maintenance · nitpicky · exacting · choosy
Operating incorrectly or failing
- unreliableNot consistently performing
- glitchyProne to malfunctions
- buggyHorse-drawn cart
- faultyHaving defects or errors
temperamental · finicky · balky · stubborn · problematic · wonky · erratic · unpredictable
irritable
Easily provoked to annoyance
- grouchyEasily annoyed, ill-tempered
- grumpyIrritable in temperament
- testyShort-tempered, easily provoked
peevish · snappish · short-tempered · touchy · edgy · impatient · sulky · moody · petulant · querulous
curmudgeonly
Bad-tempered and uncooperative
- crotchetyIrritable and complaining
- cantankerousBad-tempered and argumentative
- orneryIll-tempered and stubborn
crusty · gruff · dyspeptic · choleric · splenetic · bilious · sour · dour · disagreeable · ill-humored
eccentric
Unconventional in character
- quirkyIdiosyncratically unusual
- unconventionalDeparting from standard practice
- oddUnusual or not even
peculiar · idiosyncratic · unusual · offbeat · whimsical · capricious · unpredictable · erratic · unorthodox · crooked
fussy
Excessively particular
- finickyExcessively particular, hard to satisfy
- particularSpecific or fussy
- pickyExcessively selective or particular
persnickety · fastidious · demanding · difficult · hard-to-please · high-maintenance · nitpicky · exacting · choosy · overparticular
malfunctioning
Operating incorrectly or failing
- unreliableNot consistently performing
- glitchyProne to malfunctions
- buggyHorse-drawn cart
faulty · temperamental · finicky · balky · stubborn · problematic · wonky · erratic · unpredictable · troublesome
- irritabilitygrouchy, grumpy, irritated, annoyed, testy
- slang moodsbummed, chill, edgy, grumpy, hyper
- slang traitsbossy, brainy, bubbly, chatty, cheeky
- immaturityimmature, childish, juvenile, infantile, puerile
- childlike traitsplayful, curious, innocent, imaginative, young
- irritatingannoying, aggravating, bothersome, exasperating, frustrating
crankycheerful
Pleasantly bright in mood
good-natured · pleasant · amiable · genial · affable
crankypatient
Able to wait calmly
tolerant · long-suffering · uncomplaining · forbearing · stoic
crankyreliable
Consistently performing as expected
functional · dependable · serviceable · practical · handy
- crank itIncrease intensity or volume
- crank upIncrease by turning
- cranked upRaised intensity or volume
- crank outProduce rapidly and mechanically
- cranking upIntensifying or increasing sharply
- crank callsHarassing phone jokes
crank, cranks, cranked, cranking, crankiest, crankily, crankiness, crankshaft, crankier