crabbed

American  

[krab-id, krabd] / ˈkræb ɪd, kræbd /

adjective

1. grouchy; ill-natured; irritable; churlish.

   Synonyms:

   cantankerous, peevish, cross

2. perverse; contrary; obstinate.

3. hard to understand; intricate and obscure.

4. difficult to read or decipher, as handwriting.

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crabbed British  

/ ˈkræbɪd /

adjective

1. surly; irritable; perverse

2. (esp of handwriting) cramped and hard to decipher

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Other Word Forms

• crabbedly adverb
• crabbedness noun

Etymology

Origin of crabbed

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; crab ³, -ed ³

Example Sentences

It’s also a crabbed view of the group’s statutory authority to “prescribe general rules of practice and procedure … in the United States district courts.”

From Slate • Mar. 20, 2024

She also shaved her head — all to add authenticity as her queen evolved from youth to crabbed old age.

From New York Times • Jun. 15, 2023

Such a crabbed view goes against how art is often created — spontaneously, with improvisation and serendipity.

From Washington Post • Apr. 27, 2023

This is a truly crabbed and reductive view of the man and his work.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2021

Char’s hand was large and round, the letters evenly spaced, each fully formed—completely unlike my crabbed, spiky writing.

From "Ella Enchanted" by Gail Carson Levine