What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
crankily
Example
He woke up crankily this morning and has been complaining all day. [crankily: adverb]
Example
She responded crankily to the suggestion, saying it was a waste of time. [crankily: adverb]
irritably
Example
He answered the phone irritably, annoyed at being interrupted. [irritably: adverb]
Example
She spoke irritably to the waiter, unhappy with the service. [irritably: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Irritably is more commonly used than crankily in everyday language. Irritably is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while crankily is less common and may have a humorous or lighthearted connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between crankily and irritably?
Both crankily and irritably are informal words that are best used in casual conversations or writing. Neither word is considered formal or appropriate for professional or academic contexts.
