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View synonyms for snappish

snappish

[ snap-ish ]

adjective

  1. apt to snap or bite, as a dog.
  2. disposed to speak or reply in an impatient or irritable manner.
  3. impatiently or irritably sharp; curt:

    a snappish reply.



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Other Words From

  • snappish·ly adverb
  • snappish·ness noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of snappish1

First recorded in 1535–45; snap + -ish 1

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Example Sentences

Baylor’s exasperated boss is played by Christina Vidal—she corrects him repeatedly and wearily, a suggestion that his snappish anxiety has alienated everyone around him.

From Time

The two were laughing: Mrs. Gum seemed in a less depressed state than usual, and the other less snappish.

His sharp teeth and snappish ways, and the bigness of his appearance when the fins are all displayed, keep the little fishes away.

When her feelings were touched she had a way of growing curt and terse, sometimes even snappish.

I dislike Mr. Cleremont; he is always saying snappish things, and is never happy, no matter how merry we are.

But as the romantically impatient and sometimes a bit snappish Mrs. Penniman would say, he had never gone far.

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