short-tempered
Quick to snap
Short-tempered describes someone who becomes angry quickly and easily.
A short-tempered boss might snap at employees over minor mistakes.
The metaphor treats patience as a length—a short temper runs out fast: He's been short-tempered ever since the divorce.
The trait suggests irritability rather than sustained rage.
Easily provoked to annoyance
- irascibleProne to outbursts
- crankyIll-tempered and peevish
- testyShort-tempered, easily provoked
- touchyEasily upset or offended
grumpy · grouchy · cantankerous · crotchety · choleric · peevish · petulant · querulous
Intense hostile emotion
- rageIntense, violent anger
- furyIntense violent anger
- outburstSudden emotional release
- flare-upSudden recurrence of symptoms
eruption · tantrum · hotheaded · fiery · volatile · explosive · seething · fuming
Quick and clever
- curtAbruptly rude in speech
- brusqueAbrupt and dismissive
- abruptSharp and unexpected
- sharpFine-edged, or astute
harsh · terse · blunt · cutting · snippy · gruff · surly · rude
Unwilling to wait
- hastyExcessively quick, ill-considered
- restlessUnable to be still
- agitatedEmotionally disturbed, restless
- edgyTense and irritable
tense · frustrated · intolerant · demanding · fretful · fidgety · antsy · exasperated
irritable
Easily provoked to annoyance
touchy · grumpy · grouchy · cantankerous · crotchety · choleric · peevish · petulant · querulous · splenetic
anger
Intense hostile emotion
flare-up · eruption · tantrum · hotheaded · fiery · volatile · explosive · seething · fuming · livid
snappy
Quick and clever
sharp · harsh · terse · blunt · cutting · snippy · gruff · surly · rude · impolite
impatient
Unwilling to wait
- hastyExcessively quick, ill-considered
- restlessUnable to be still
- agitatedEmotionally disturbed, restless
edgy · tense · frustrated · intolerant · demanding · fretful · fidgety · antsy · exasperated
short-temperedeven-tempered
Reliably calm disposition
good-tempered · placid · calm · cool-headed · unflappable
short-temperedpatient
Able to wait calmly
long-suffering · forbearing · tolerant · sweet-tempered · stoic
short, temper, temperature, temperament, tempered, hot-tempered, even-tempered, ill-tempered, bad-tempered