cantankerous Definition
bad-tempered, argumentative, and uncooperative.
Using cantankerous: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "cantankerous" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
He was a cantankerous old man who avoided socializing with others.
Example
The cantankerous customer complained about everything on the menu.
Example
Her cantankerous attitude made it difficult for her to make friends.
Example
The cantankerous debate lasted for hours.
cantankerous Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using cantankerous
Example
Don't talk to him right now, he's as cantankerous as a bear with a sore head.
to have a tendency to be bad-tempered and argumentative
Example
She has a cantankerous streak that makes it difficult for her to get along with others.
to put up with someone's cantankerousness
to tolerate someone's bad-tempered and argumentative behavior
Example
I don't know how you put up with his cantankerousness all the time.
Phrases with cantankerous
a cantankerous old woman/man
an elderly person who is bad-tempered and difficult to deal with
Example
My neighbor is a cantankerous old man who yells at anyone who walks on his lawn.
a young person who is bad-tempered and difficult to deal with
Example
The cantankerous child refused to share his toys with the other children.
a device or equipment that is difficult to operate or maintain
Example
The cantankerous printer kept jamming every time we tried to print something.
Origins of cantankerous
originated in the late 18th century from an unknown source
Summary: cantankerous in Brief
'Cantankerous' [kanˈtaŋk(ə)rəs] describes someone who is bad-tempered, argumentative, and uncooperative. It can be used to describe people of any age, as well as machines and devices that are difficult to operate. 'Cantankerous' is often used in idioms like 'as cantankerous as a bear with a sore head,' which means extremely bad-tempered and irritable.
