What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
grumpily
Example
He grumpily complained about the long wait at the restaurant. [grumpily: adverb]
Example
She answered grumpily, clearly not in the mood for conversation. [grumpily: adverb]
testily
Example
He responded testily to her question, clearly annoyed by the interruption. [testily: adverb]
Example
She spoke testily to the customer service representative, frustrated with the lack of assistance. [testily: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Grumpily is more commonly used in everyday language than testily, which is less common and may be considered more formal or literary.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between grumpily and testily?
Testily may be considered more formal or literary than grumpily, which is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
