2
: perversely (see perverse sense 2b) obstinate
a peevish child
3
: marked by ill temper
has a peevish, even spiteful, streak—
Elizabeth Drew
Elizabeth Drew
peevishly
adverb
peevishness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of peevish in a Sentence
peevish patients in the doctor's waiting room
I would rather figure things out on my own than ask that peevish librarian for help.
Recent Examples on the Web
Rojas’s recollections weren’t peevish—fine work was produced under these conditions.
—Ian Parker, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
The songs are muscular and syncretic as ever, but the normally peevish rapper doesn’t maintain his trolling energy for the full record, settling into a questioning and pensive pace.
—Stephen Kearse, TIME, 8 Dec. 2024
For all that, his Arthur remains a lowly outsider, with a downcast gaze, a peevish temper, and a deep well of melancholy that never feels one-note.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2024
The preternaturally peevish Pentecostal preacher is back and absent as ever.
—Kristen Baldwin and Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 6 Sep. 2023
See all Example Sentences for peevish 
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.
Ian Parker, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
The songs are muscular and syncretic as ever, but the normally peevish rapper doesn’t maintain his trolling energy for the full record, settling into a questioning and pensive pace.
—Stephen Kearse, TIME, 8 Dec. 2024
For all that, his Arthur remains a lowly outsider, with a downcast gaze, a peevish temper, and a deep well of melancholy that never feels one-note.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2024
The preternaturally peevish Pentecostal preacher is back and absent as ever.
—Kristen Baldwin and Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 6 Sep. 2023
See all Example Sentences for peevish
Articles Related to peevish
Dictionary Entries Near peevish
Cite this Entry
“Peevish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peevish. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share