CURMUDGEONLY Synonyms: 94 Similar and Opposite Words

curmudgeonly

adjective

Definition of curmudgeonly

as in cantankerous

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of curmudgeonly Half of this trail was on an old logging road, which the curmudgeonly reviewers on AllTrails didn't love. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026 Then, Depp emerged, fully transformed into the curmudgeonly character with makeup and Scrooge’s iconic black coat and matching top hat. — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 23 July 2026 The fruits of their labor, a seven-episode exploration of American history through David’s curmudgeonly eyes, is already halfway through its HBO run. — Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 13 July 2026 Not even the curmudgeonly Melvin can bring himself to harm the little rascal. — Camille Perri, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026 The new arrival to the town, Sam Cooper (Alfred Molina) is a curmudgeonly grouch with a heart of gold, consumed with grief over his late wife, Lily (Jane Kaczmarek). — Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026 Resistance to change can be chalked up to old curmudgeonly thinking, or sentimental attachment. — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026 Berry's name and face may not be as familiar to American audiences as Offerman's, who became so well known as the curmudgeonly Ron Swanson on Parks and Recreation. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Mar. 2026 Van Pelt’s giant Pacific octopus narrator — wry, curmudgeonly, deeply observant — is the beating heart of the book. — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for curmudgeonly

Adjective

Lyons recalled how Meyer and Davis transformed her own cantankerous vision — mushrooms beside saddles, faucets beside disco balls, moldings beside dog doors — into a cohesive design language.

— Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
Close plays Maud Oldcastle, a cantankerous older woman who’s spent her life caring for her sister, and killing people.

— Emily Longeretta, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of cantankerous

Adjective

White and Madison are sort of like Tom Cruise and Demi Moore, building a mountain of evidence against the company, while Strong is playing an ornery witness a la Jack Nicholson.

— Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 7 Oct. 2026
But however janky, the system just about works for the ornery menfolk muddling their way through it, with their many beefs mostly resolved with a bottle of lethally alcoholic local tipple chacha, or a punch to the face, or both.

— Jessica Kiang, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of ornery

Adjective

The normally surly Super Bowl winning head coach has been known to chew up and spit out even the most veteran of sideline reporters, even while his team is eviscerating the competition.

— Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2026
The United States is now a reluctant international donor and a surly member of key international organizations.

— Anna Nelson, Foreign Affairs, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of surly

Adjective

Once upon a time, the idea that the world was growing stupider was mostly confined to the realm of dyspeptic reactionary polemic.

— James Marriott, Washington Post, 7 Oct. 2026
Govan might prevail on Lucas to join as well, as an idiosyncratic and dyspeptic if public-minded voice.

— Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of dyspeptic

Adjective

The irascible Atmane then took his frustrations out on the net, smashing his racket on the net cord three times.

— Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Well, as much as one of the league’s biggest personalities and irascible players can blend in.

— Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of irascible

Adjective

Maine is a famously crotchety state; independence is baked into the culture.

— Emma Green, New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2026
But Neill doesn’t lean into the crotchety loner stereotype that could have ruined the entire film, finding a core of relatable decency in this outsider that instead holds the whole effort together with an honest humanity reflected in his choices.

— Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 14 July 2026

Definition of crotchety

Adjective

Mistaking being disagreeable with the act of disagreeing is common - especially in unsafe psychological workplaces.

— Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
There are also a lot of people who have never dreamed of being disagreeable in public, much less considered joining a raucous social movement.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 12 June 2026

Definition of disagreeable

Browse Nearby Words

curmudgeonliness

curmudgeonly

curmudgeons

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“Curmudgeonly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curmudgeonly. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of curmudgeonly

adjective

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