testy

adjective

tes·​ty ˈte-stē How to pronounce testy (audio)
testier; testiest
Synonyms of testy
1
: easily annoyed : irritable
2
: marked by impatience or ill humor
testy remarks
testily
ˈte-stə-lē How to pronounce testy (audio)
adverb
testiness
ˈte-stē-nəs How to pronounce testy (audio)
noun

Synonyms of testy

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Examples of testy in a Sentence

that coworker would be easier to get along with if she weren't so testy all the time
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
In an at-times testy news conference on Monday, coach Nick Sirianni was asked multiple times about the team’s handling of the situation after learning about the blood clot in Hurts’ calf. — Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026 The testy exchange capped a five-minute opening statement in which Williams torched national reporting for trying to box his injury into a tidy Grade 2 timeline. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026 Again and again, Misty comes fully alive in the presence of others—a saving grace in a town that still often runs on chance meetings, fateful reunions, and testy but resilient relationships. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026 London — The United States and China have agreed to slash tariffs on $60 billion worth of goods, deepening efforts to stabilize a frequently testy relationship. — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for testy

Word History

Etymology

Middle English testif, from Anglo-French, headstrong, from teste head — more at tester entry 2

First Known Use

1523, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of testy was in 1523

Rhymes for testy

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Browse Nearby Words

testudo
testy
Tesuque
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Cite this Entry

“Testy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/testy. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

testy

adjective
tes·​ty ˈtes-tē How to pronounce testy (audio)
testier; testiest
: easily annoyed : irritable
testily
-tə-lē How to pronounce testy (audio)
adverb
testiness
-tē-nəs How to pronounce testy (audio)
noun
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