grumpy

In bad mood

Grumpy describes a persistently irritable mood—not quite angry, but easily annoyed and quick to complain.

A grumpy person is unpleasant company, prone to short answers and minor grievances: Don't talk to me before coffee—I'm grumpy in the morning.

The word suggests temporary bad temper rather than a permanent disposition, though some people seem grumpy by nature.

irritable

cranky

Ill-tempered and peevish

crabbyIll-tempered, easily annoyed
grouchyEasily annoyed, ill-tempered
crossPass from side to side

testy · peevish · petulant · snappish · touchy · tetchy · irascible · impatient · edgy · fractious

sullen

moody

Prone to sullenness

sulkyMoody and silently resentful
broodingAnxiously dwelling on something
poutySullen in expression

dour · glum · glowering · resentful · huffy · withdrawn · uncommunicative · silent treatment · cold shoulder · begrudging

hostile

cantankerous

Bad-tempered and argumentative

curmudgeonlyBad-tempered and uncooperative
orneryIll-tempered and stubborn
churlishIll-mannered and rude

surly · disagreeable · contentious · antagonistic · combative · belligerent · pugnacious · truculent · bellicose · acerbic

melancholy

morose

Sullenly ill-humored

gloomyDark and dispiriting
glumQuietly dejected
downToward lower ground

unhappy · dejected · despondent · downcast · crestfallen · somber · dismal · woeful · doleful · melancholy

Categories

irritabilitycranky, grouchy, irritated, annoyed, testy
slang moodsbummed, chill, cranky, edgy, hyper
slang traitsbossy, brainy, bubbly, chatty, cheeky
traitshonesty, ambitious, brave, calm, kindness
emotionsjoy, anger, fear, sadness, love
moodshappy, sad, angry, anxious, excited

Opposites

mood/temperament

Pleasantly bright in mood

happy · good-humored · good-humoured · sunny · jovial

social manner

Good-natured and likable

affable · genial · friendly · agreeable · congenial

response to difficulty/annoyance

Able to wait calmly

good-natured · easygoing · uncomplaining · forbearing · tolerant

Phrases

grumpy old manIll-tempered elderly male
grumpy pantsIrritable person, playfully named
Grumpy CatFamously frowning internet feline
woke up grumpy
Grumpy BearPerpetually sour animated ursine
grumpy sunshineCheerful person with sour demeanor

Family

grump, grumps, grumpily, grumped, grumping, grumpiness, grumpiest, grumpier, grumpypants

Familiarity: Top 3,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G