Crabbed

The adjective 'crabbed' describes something characterized by a bad temper, a sour disposition, or a generally unpleasant attitude. It can also refer to something that is difficult, cramped, or badly written. Derived from the word 'crab,' which is known for its sideways and defensive posture, 'crabbed' implies a negative, resistant, and often irritable quality. It's often used to describe a person, their behaviour, or the style in which something is presented. The word paints a picture of something that is unpleasant, difficult, or shows a general lack of agreeableness. 'Crabbed' signifies a resistance to being open, friendly, or flexible, instead leaning towards negativity, grumpiness, and difficulty.

Crabbed meaning with examples

• Old Mr. Henderson was notorious for his crabbed demeanor; his constant complaining and scowls kept the neighborhood kids away. He'd scold them from his porch, reinforcing his reputation for being cantankerous. His crabbed attitude made interactions with him a challenge, making even the simplest of gestures difficult.
• The critic's crabbed review of the film focused solely on minor technical issues, ignoring the overall artistic merit. Her crabbed analysis highlighted every flaw, creating an impression of a deliberately negative approach. The crabbed nature of the evaluation revealed a general lack of generosity towards the movie.
• Despite her best efforts, the crabbed handwriting on the ancient scroll was nearly impossible to decipher. The closely spaced letters and faded ink created a crabbed script that was a true obstacle for historians. The crabbed presentation of the script hampered attempts to gain historical insight.
• After a long day at work, my mother often became crabbed, snapping at the slightest provocation. Her usual warmth and kindness were replaced with a crabbed disposition after a difficult shift. Her crabbed responses could be difficult for the rest of the family to handle.
• The crabbed legal documents were filled with convoluted language, making it difficult to understand the terms. The clauses were difficult to read and left many people confused. The crabbed complexity caused legal issues and confusion.