crossness

[ kraws-nis, kros- ]

noun

1. the quality or state of being cross or angry; irritability; snappishness.

Word History and Origins

Origin of crossness¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; cross + -ness

Example Sentences

“These are difficulties which you must settle for yourself. Chuse your own degree of crossness. I shall press you no more.”

From Literature

She said Grenfell had "always been a bad tempered place and for some reason that general crossness has lingered and is stoked by various individuals and their agendas".

From BBC

“Gossip suggests adenoidal radio anarchist Howard Stern was involved. Britney reacts with predictable crossness. ‘It’s a disgusting offer,’ she told one newspaper.

From The Guardian

I decided it would do to convey a mixture of can-you-believe-it crossness and wrenching disappointment, selected it, added zilch and pressed send.

From The Guardian

To meet criticism with kindness, crossness with geniality, insult with courtesy, and injury with charity is the way to conquer the world.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• anger
• fury
• impatience
• ire
• outburst
• passion
• rage
• resentment
• sensitivity
• tantrum