Testy describes someone or something that is easily annoyed, impatient, and quick to anger. It suggests a short temper and a tendency to react negatively to minor irritations or frustrations. The word often implies a state of being on edge, making someone easily provoked. It can apply to a person's general disposition, a particular mood, or even an animal's behavior. While similar to 'irritable,' 'testy' often carries a connotation of a more specific and immediate response to a perceived slight or inconvenience, resulting in a sharper, more pointed reaction. It highlights a quickness to snap or show impatience, sometimes even over trivial matters.
Testy meaning with examples
- The customer service representative seemed particularly testy that morning, sighing audibly and giving curt answers to my simple questions about my account. I sensed a deep level of exhaustion, leading to a very unfavorable experience. The lack of patience was astounding; it seemed impossible to stay calm around them, given the testiness.
- After a long, stressful day, my normally patient dog became rather testy. She snapped at the cat for simply walking past her, which was very unusual. I suspect that tiredness made her unusually defensive. Even her favorite toys didn't seem to please her, revealing the heightened state of her testy nature.
- The coach was visibly testy during the post-game interview after the team's unexpected loss. His answers were short and laced with sarcasm. He seemed especially angry at the referee's calls, and at his own team. It was a stark contrast to his usual calm and composed demeanor, exposing a testy disposition.
- The old car had a testy engine. If you tried to start it when the engine was hot it would immediately give you difficulties. It was always likely to misfire and stall and was a source of constant frustration. Despite the frequent attention and care, it was prone to becoming testy at any moment, making it unreliable.
Testy Synonyms
bad-tempered cantankerous choleric cranky cross grumpy irritable peevish petulant short-tempered snappy touchyTesty Antonyms
amiable calm cheerful even-tempered good-natured patient placid tolerantTesty Crossword Answers
5 Letters
CROSS TECHY
6 Letters
ONEDGE CRABBY GRUMPY CRANKY TETCHY TOUCHY
7 Letters
PECKISH PEEVISH PETTISH
8 Letters
PETULANT SCRATCHY SNAPPISH
9 Letters
FRACTIOUS IRASCIBLE IRRITABLE
10 Letters
NETTLESOME
12 Letters
DISAGREEABLE CANTANKEROUS
13 Letters
SHORTTEMPERED