WASPISH Synonyms: 96 Similar and Opposite Words

waspish

adjective

ˈwä-spish

Definition of waspish

as in irritable

easily irritated or annoyed extremely waspish, she uses her wit viciously when irritated

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 waspish After some increasingly waspish bickering between Aleida and Irina, the group manages to agree once more on the importance of the Space Elevator and Titan mission succeeding unaffected by the ongoing protests. — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2026 Spitting Image has delivered a typically waspish response after Deadline revealed this week that the show had been served with a lawsuit by the owners of Paddington Bear. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025 But what a response — a performance full of waspish pressing, muscular defending and precise, efficient counters. — Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025 In contrast to her expansive mate, Toklas was a waspish temple gatekeeper who never ceased to hold grudges. — Judith Thurman, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025 The waspish Queen – played by Rebecca Trehearn, whose deliciously withering grandeur would give Marie Antoinette pause — is not, to put it mildly, pleased. — David Benedict, Variety, 19 Aug. 2021 The author takes a waspish tone that doesn’t always enhance his arguments, but the book is an excellent distillation of a complicated menace. — Barton Swaim, WSJ, 26 Feb. 2021

Recent Examples of Synonyms for waspish

Adjective

Murray says her own experience has made her more understanding when female colleagues seem more tired or irritable than usual, particularly when the behavior is out of character.

— Jo Ann Liguori, Flow Space, 21 Oct. 2026
Could be because for much of the running time, Abrams’ Jay Gardiner is up against what looks like a very large irritable sphincter.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of irritable

Adjective

Hundreds of people in Toledo, Ohio, remain evacuated from their homes as officials work to resolve a fiery chemical leak that began Tuesday.

— Lana Zak, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Here was the humble trade unionist, born into extreme poverty, standing up as a fiery-eyed tribune of the workers.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026