testy | testily

Exam frequency

Banks

medium

Civil Services

medium

Meaning(s)

easily annoyed

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testy - irritable

Check Icon Analysis

Somebody who is ‘testy’ is typically impatient and quick to anger, often over trivial things. Unlike some similar meaning words, it does not necessarily imply a character flaw or something innate. A person can become testy in a moment of frustration or after a long and busy day. Either way, such behaviour elicits a strongly negative reaction from others.

ExamsSpokenOther
Synonyms cranky
Antonyms amiable

Check Icon Example(s)

  1. After a long day at work, I am often testy when I get home which can be difficult for my family to cope with.

  2. My review with my boss got quite testy. I felt that she was being overly confrontational and responded defensively.

  3. Gary does not like being criticized and reacted testily when I offered my honest opinion of his work.

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