testy

[ tes-tee ]

adjective

, tes·ti·er, tes·ti·est.

1. irritably impatient; touchy.

   Synonyms: irascible, cross, snappish, edgy, tetchy

   Antonyms: composed

testy

/ ˈtɛstɪ /

adjective

1. irritable or touchy

Derived Forms

• ˈtestily, adverb
• ˈtestiness, noun

Other Words From

• testi·ly adverb
• testi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of testy¹

First recorded in 1325–75; late Middle English testi, alteration of Middle French testu “headstrong”; replacing Middle English testif, from Middle French. See test ², -ive

Word History and Origins

Origin of testy¹

C14: from Anglo-Norman testif headstrong, from Old French teste head, from Late Latin testa skull, from Latin: shell

Synonym Study

See irritable.

Example Sentences

Yes, he had been, not surprisingly, a bit testy when Gore called to withdraw his concession, and many questioned, and continue to question, the legitimacy of the final outcome.

From Los Angeles Times

The half-hour interview with Baier, Harris’ first formal sit-down with the cable channel, took place amid a media blitz by the Democratic nominee, and was testy at times.

From Los Angeles Times

“My opponent supports President Trump,” she said in the first of two testy debates the pair held last week.

From Los Angeles Times

“We see him start to develop some of that sense of humor and warmth and and, at times, testy annoyance with these creatures, but it’s always under girded by a deep love.”

From Los Angeles Times

In an unusually testy meeting, supervisors directed lawyers to draft a charter amendment that would nearly double the size of the five-member board and create an elected position to oversee day-to-day operations.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• annoyed
• cantankerous
• cranky
• edgy
• exasperated
• grumpy
• impatient
• quarrelsome
• sullen
• uptight