1
as in clumsy
difficult to use or operate especially because of size, weight, or design
that old typewriter is handy sometimes, but rather cranky these days
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in irritable
easily irritated or annoyed
the baby was cranky after not being fed for hours
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in restless
given to complaining a lot
if cranky children don't appreciate what they already have, then they shouldn't get a thing more
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in funny
different from the ordinary in a way that causes curiosity or suspicion
that's just another of his cranky theories about the CIA
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in psychotic
dialect
having or showing a very abnormal or sick state of mind
the man would inflict on innocent bystanders his cranky ruminations on world events
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cranky
Schmidt’s Spring Debut Clarke Schmidt, who saw his schedule delayed by a cranky back, made his spring debut against the Orioles on Tuesday.
—
Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2025
Tired and cranky, the former New Jersey Governor lumbered onto a bus ferrying passengers back to the terminal, where the woman seated beside him started unpacking the unpredictable state of politics, particularly President Donald Trump’s chaotic first few weeks back in power.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 24 Feb. 2025
Opioid users often arrived in the E.R. in withdrawal — sick to their stomachs, cranky, itchy, mean.
—Moises Velasquez-Manoff Robert Petkoff Emma Kehlbeck Zak Mouton, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2025
Among the notable voice talents are Isla Fisher as an intrepid TV reporter, Stephen Root as Petey’s cranky father, and, in smaller roles, Laraine Newman, Cheri Oteri, Melissa Villaseñor, and Kate Micucci.
—Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cranky
Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2025
Tired and cranky, the former New Jersey Governor lumbered onto a bus ferrying passengers back to the terminal, where the woman seated beside him started unpacking the unpredictable state of politics, particularly President Donald Trump’s chaotic first few weeks back in power.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 24 Feb. 2025
Opioid users often arrived in the E.R. in withdrawal — sick to their stomachs, cranky, itchy, mean.
—Moises Velasquez-Manoff Robert Petkoff Emma Kehlbeck Zak Mouton, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2025
Among the notable voice talents are Isla Fisher as an intrepid TV reporter, Stephen Root as Petey’s cranky father, and, in smaller roles, Laraine Newman, Cheri Oteri, Melissa Villaseñor, and Kate Micucci.
—Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cranky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cranky
Adjective
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Raw also advertised Bayley challenging Lyra Valkyria for the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship, Penta vs. Dominik Mysterio and the world’s most clumsy GM Adam Pearce making his next fumble of the worst storyline going this WrestleMania season between Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair and Iyo Sky.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
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This is why the Trump administration’s DOGE exercise — while clumsy at times — is such an important endeavor despite Democratic efforts to discredit it.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Strong winds also may have North Texans feeling more irritable, which scientists blame on there being too many positive ions in the air.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Mar. 2025
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Signs of overextension burnout include feeling emotionally drained, becoming irritable and struggling to focus—all of which can affect both your work and personal life.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Wall Street has started to get restless as the clock keeps ticking.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
3 Apr. 2025
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Starr will get restless in a month and come running back.—
Mark Leibovich,
The Atlantic,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Everyone was so nervous to tell Mike what our number was, which was so funny.—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Apr. 2025
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Welcome to My Blue Sky is twice as great — totally brash, always loud, always effusive, and usually funny even when their lives are falling apart, which is constantly.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The counselor also told police Trotman had had a previous psychotic break in which he was found wandering the woods.—
Peter Hermann,
Washington Post,
7 Feb. 2023
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Lewis prescribed Price anti-psychotic medication after a mental health referral Sept. 1.—
Thomas Saccente,
Arkansas Online,
17 Jan. 2023
Adjective
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Michelle Williams truly showed how to remain graceful under pressure this weekend as she was put in an awkward situation mid-air.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
7 Apr. 2025
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Those who tried—in good faith or not—to come up with such a plan for Shoreham had to contend with Long Island’s awkward geography.—
Elizabeth Kolbert,
New Yorker,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Three-time Oscar nominee Carey Mulligan is its heart, providing a grounding presence between the grumpy musician and lovable weirdo.—
Lisa Wong Macabasco,
Vogue,
28 Mar. 2025
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The standard heartwarming and humorous animal story unfolds as the penguin — eventually named Juan Salvador — forces Tom out of his grumpy, bored existence.—
Katie Walsh,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The bizarre purchase was revealed last year by the former Lakers player, and the topic was recently brought up during the season 6 finale of The Kardashians.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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Continue reading … 'THIS IS SO CRAZY' – DOGE reveals bizarre findings of unemployment insurance claims.—
FOXNews.com,
FOXNews.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cranky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cranky. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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