waspish

¹

[ wos-pish ]

adjective

1. like or suggesting a wasp, especially in behavior.
2. quick to resent a trifling affront or injury; snappish.

   Synonyms: resentful

3. irascibly or petulantly spiteful:

   waspish writing.

   Synonyms: touchy, testy

4. having a slight or slender build.

Waspish

²

or WASP·ish

[ wos-pish ]

adjective

1. Waspy.

waspish

/ ˈwɒspɪʃ /

adjective

1. relating to or suggestive of a wasp
2. easily annoyed or angered

Derived Forms

• ˈwaspishly, adverb
• ˈwaspishness, noun

Other Words From

• waspish·ly adverb
• waspish·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of waspish¹

First recorded in 1560–70; wasp + -ish ¹

Origin of waspish²

First recorded in 1965–70; WASP + -ish ¹

Example Sentences

He was a primary colours politician — waspish, pugnacious, unrelenting, engaging — and at once complicated and undoubtedly controversial, in his politics and his personal conduct.

From BBC

And this was one of the least waspish awards shows in memory, with few jokes at the expense of actors or shows, apart from one about “The Bear” being a comedy without jokes.

From Los Angeles Times

Wobbly and waspish from booze, she makes a toast: “To Franklin Shepard, the producer. The man who has everything. And fat, drunk and finished, I would rather be me any day.”

From Los Angeles Times

Enjoy Garner’s wonderfully waspish essay on aging ungracefully, which manages to germanely quote both Marilynne Robinson and Dirty Harry?

From New York Times

His style dovetailed superbly with the pugnacious Warner, all waspish cuts and wristy flicks, as Pakistan's attack struggled to find consistent lengths.

From BBC