How to Memorize

peevish - irritable

Analysis

Somebody who is 'peevish' is bad-tempered and easily irritated by small and unimportant things. The meaning of the word covers both people who are naturally prone to grumpiness and therefore allow everything to get under their skin, and those who only get annoyed about certain subjects. Being peevish is always seen as a negative, and will likely cause others to dislike and disrespect you.

Example(s)

1. I’m sorry to be so peevish about things. I’m just under a lot of pressure to get this deal over the line.

2. No matter what you say to Gary, he gets annoyed. His peevishness makes him impossible to work with.

3. Susan frowned peevishly when I asked her to organize those files. She seems to have a problem with authority.