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View synonyms for waspish

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

waspish

/ ˈwɒspɪʃ /

adjective

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


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Derived Forms

  • ˈwaspishly, adverb
  • ˈwaspishness, noun

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Other Words From

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

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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

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Example Sentences

But they also reveal a waspish, bitter man frequently disillusioned with film and theatre.

This brief, innocent encounter was talked up by the waspish gossip columnist Rona Barrett.

A better weapon than his waspish tongue was Parpon's voice, for it, before all, was persuasive.

She began to say very kind things to me in rather a waspish tone yesterday morning at breakfast.

When a man is touchy and waspish, he is always looking out for, and catching at, occasions of offence.

Her cutaway coat was buttoned tightly over a manly bosom, and her waist was not waspish.

Let her be a little less waspish and I will try to get along with her.

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