Ill-tempered — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈil-ˈtem-pərd/ ill-tem·pered

Meaning & Definition of Ill-tempered

Ill-tempered (adjective)

  1. ill-natured, quarrelsome

Ill-tempered (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having or showing a habitually bad temper

    "an ill-tempered cat will scratch with little provocation"

    similar: acid, bearish, bilious, bloody-minded (chiefly British), cantankerous, disagreeable, dyspeptic, ill-humored, ill-natured, ornery, splenetic, surly
    related: choleric, crabby, cranky, crotchety, fussy, grouchy, grumpy, querulous, irascible, irritable, peevish, peppery, petulant, quick-tempered, short-tempered, snappish, snippy, testy, touchy, argumentative, contentious, contrary, cussed, angry, exasperated, indignant, irate, mad, upset, uptight, depressed, dour, glum, morose, sullen, anal, old-maidish, schoolmarmish
    opposite: amiable, good-humored, good-natured, good-tempered
    near: agreeable, amicable, congenial, friendly, pleasant, benign, gentle, kind, nice, sweet, bubbly, cheerful, cheery, effervescent, exuberant, high-spirited, joyful, lighthearted, lively, vivacious, content, glad, happy, calm, placid, serene, long-suffering, patient, tolerant

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Ill-tempered

The most common words with a similar meaning to Ill-tempered:

Chiefly British: bloody-minded
acid, bearish, bilious, cantankerous, disagreeable, dyspeptic, ill-humored, ill-natured, ornery, splenetic, surly

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Ill-tempered

Words with the opposite meaning of Ill-tempered:

amiable, good-humored, good-natured, good-tempered

Related Words for Ill-tempered

choleric, crabby, cranky, crotchety, fussy, grouchy, grumpy, querulous, irascible, irritable, peevish, peppery, petulant, quick-tempered, short-tempered, snappish, snippy, testy, touchy, argumentative, contentious, contrary, cussed, angry, exasperated, indignant, irate, mad, upset, uptight

Near Antonyms of Ill-tempered

agreeable, amicable, congenial, friendly, pleasant, benign, gentle, kind, nice, sweet, bubbly, cheerful, cheery, effervescent, exuberant, high-spirited, joyful, lighthearted, lively, vivacious, content, glad, happy, calm, placid, serene, long-suffering, patient, tolerant

Word Forms of Ill-tempered

Derived words: ill-temperedly (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Ill-tempered

First known use: 1601

Frequently Asked Questions about Ill-tempered

What does "Ill-tempered" mean?

"Ill-tempered" means ill-natured, quarrelsome. As an adjective, it is defined as: ill-natured, quarrelsome.

What is another word for "Ill-tempered"?

Other words for "Ill-tempered" include acid, bearish, bilious, bloody-minded, cantankerous, disagreeable, dyspeptic and ill-humored. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Ill-tempered" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Ill-tempered"?

There are 50 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Ill-tempered". Common alternatives include acid, bearish, bilious, bloody-minded, cantankerous, disagreeable, dyspeptic, ill-humored, ill-natured and ornery.

What is the opposite of "Ill-tempered"?

Antonyms of "Ill-tempered" include amiable, good-humored, good-natured and good-tempered. Near antonyms include agreeable, amicable, congenial and friendly.

How do you use "Ill-tempered" in a sentence?

Examples of "Ill-tempered" in a sentence: "an ill-tempered cat will scratch with little provocation".

Is "Ill-tempered" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Ill-tempered" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Ill-tempered"?

"Ill-tempered" is pronounced /ˈil-ˈtem-pərd/ and divided into syllables as ill-tem·pered.

What is the origin of the word "Ill-tempered"?

First known use: 1601.