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View synonyms for cranky

cranky

1

[ krang-kee ]

adjective

, crank·i·er, crank·i·est.
  1. ill-tempered; grouchy; cross:

    I'm always cranky when I don't get enough sleep.

    Synonyms: perverse, cantankerous, crotchety

  2. eccentric; queer.
  3. shaky; unsteady; out of order.
  4. full of bends or windings; crooked.
  5. British Dialect. sickly; in unsound or feeble condition; infirm.


cranky

2

[ krang-kee ]

adjective

, Nautical.

cranky

1

/ ˈkræŋkɪ /

adjective

  1. See crank
    nautical another word for crank 2


cranky

2

/ ˈkræŋkɪ /

adjective

  1. informal.
    eccentric
  2. informal.
    fussy and bad-tempered
  3. shaky; out of order
  4. full of bends and turns
  5. dialect.
    unwell

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Derived Forms

  • ˈcrankily, adverb
  • ˈcrankiness, noun

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Other Words From

  • cranki·ly adverb
  • cranki·ness noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of cranky1

First recorded in 1780–90; crank 1 + -y 1

Origin of cranky2

First recorded in 1835–45; crank 2 + -y 1

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Example Sentences

To think that it once took only a single cranky shark to scare the entire country.

After a day-long drive with three young children, we emerged from our minivan cramped, cranky, and dusty with junk food.

Even today—contrary to cranky public opinion—the political influence of multigenerational families is weak and getting weaker.

They seem, in fact, like cranky, petulant children, coked to the gills.

In a din of cranky, snarky, jaded, and occasionally even lazy late-night talk show hosts, he radiates pure joy.

I fancy he finds it rather dull with only a cranky old man and a half-crazy woman for associates.

Who Howard was, or the cranky old man and half-crazy woman, Eloise had no idea, nor did she give them a thought.

True, the equipment was old and cranky, much of it haywired together, much of it invented from scratch.

The gum king of the Moosehead region is a rather cranky old chap, who has been at the business ever since he was a youth.

They have to study and take care of cranky sick folks for three whole years before they can wear those white clothes.

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crank-upCranmer