cranky

1 of 2

adjective (1)

ˈkraŋ-kē How to pronounce cranky (audio)
crankier; crankiest
Synonyms of crankynext
1
a
: given to fretful fussiness : readily angered when opposed : crotchety
Our long wait … left us a tad cranky.— Connecticut
b
: marked by eccentricity
… his bizarre and cranky mix of ideas and beliefs …— R. J. Evans
2
: full of twists and turns : tortuous
a cranky road
3
: working erratically : unpredictable
a cranky old tractor
4
dialect : silly, eccentric
crankily
ˈkraŋ-kə-lē How to pronounce cranky (audio)
adverb
crankiness
ˈkraŋ-kē-nəs How to pronounce cranky (audio)
noun

cranky

2 of 2

adjective (2)

of a boat
: crank entry 5

Synonyms

Adjective (1)

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of cranky in a Sentence

Adjective (1) that old typewriter is handy sometimes, but rather cranky these days the baby was cranky after not being fed for hours if cranky children don't appreciate what they already have, then they shouldn't get a thing more that's just another of his cranky theories about the CIA the man would inflict on innocent bystanders his cranky ruminations on world events
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
The 1972 novel follows the life of mercurial 6-year-old Sophia and her cranky and unsentimental, but loving, grandmother. — Patrick Sauer, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2025 There isn’t one interesting new character, despite the effort from Hammer, Kerry Washington, Nathan Fillion, and Chris Cooper as Lightning’s cranky new trainer. — Will Leitch, Vulture, 19 June 2025 Think of places where the checkout process could easily become a nightmare if devices go down, causing long lines and impatient, cranky customers. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025 Many modern parents are more likely to soothe a cranky baby with a smartphone than a pacifier. — Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 2 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for cranky

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (1)

crank entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

1821, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective (2)

1841, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cranky was in 1821

Rhymes for cranky

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Browse Nearby Words

crank web
cranky
cranky fan
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cranky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cranky. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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Kids Definition

cranky

adjective
ˈkraŋ-kē
crankier; crankiest
1
: easily angered or irritated
2
: hard to handle
a cranky boat
crankiness
-kē-nəs
noun

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