Synonyms of short-tempered

short-tempered

adjective

ˌshȯrt-ˈtem-pərd 

as in irritable

easily irritated or annoyed

shop customers learned not to bother the short-tempered dog on their way out

Synonyms & Similar Words

• irritable
• fiery
• irascible
• snappish
• petulant
• grumpy
• peevish
• grouchy
• crabby
• choleric
• testy
• waspish
• crotchety
• cranky
• quick-tempered
• pettish
• passionate
• snarky
• snippy
• cross
• out of humor
• raspy
• sensitive
• out of sorts
• stuffy
• cantankerous
• prickly
• ornery
• surly
• belligerent
• perverse
• querulous
• ratty
• combative
• pugnacious
• ill-tempered
• disagreeable
• curmudgeonly
• dyspeptic
• contentious
• short
• fretful
• snarly
• quarrelsome
• bilious
• snappy
• bellicose
• snippety
• argumentative
• sulky
• tetchy
• fractious
• ill-humored
• sullen
• truculent
• ill-natured
• disputatious
• cross-grained
• pouty
• scrappy
• huffy
• bearish
• thin-skinned
• touchy
• off-color
• hot-blooded

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• friendly
• gregarious
• outgoing
• affable
• cordial
• extroverted
• sociable
• amiable
• genial
• companionable
• good-natured
• sweet
• agreeable
• easygoing
• carefree
• good-tempered
• patient
• relaxed
• stoic
• tolerant
• well-disposed
• forbearing
• long-suffering
• uncomplaining
• understanding
• happy-go-lucky
• obliging

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of short-tempered

After the pizza has been served on the cake stand, Ben apologizes for being short-tempered. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 2 June 2026

People who know Magyar have praised his discipline but have also described him as impatient, short-tempered, and sometimes abrasive. — Nick Tabor, Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026

The senior attending physician’s behavior has worried many in the hospital as he's appeared more nihilistic and short-tempered than usual. — Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026

Slick, short-tempered and charismatically dangerous, Michael's DeVito is a bomb about to explode. — Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025

Expressing aggression recharges an angry and short-tempered internal battery that transfers into other parts of the adults’ lives. — Christina Erickson, The Conversation, 18 Apr. 2025

Noticing how these patterns affect your personal life—say, leading to venting or being short-tempered at home—provides valuable insights into your reactions at work. — Liz Kislik, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024