Cantankerous
Very irritable and quarrelsome; difficult to deal with.
adjectiveCantankerous
Very irritable and quarrelsome; difficult to deal with.
adjectiveImagine This
A large family is going on a vacation, but doesnβt have any space left in the family car, so the father rents a can tanker to hook to the back of the family car. Three of his children are assigned to ride in the tanker, but they didnβt like it because there was no air conditioning. They screamed and complained, making their father very angry. 'Stop being so irritating!' cried the father.
Sounds Like
kan-TANG-ker-Ιs
Looks Like
Contains the word 'tank' in the middle (cant + tank + erous).
Remember This
A tanker is a vehicle or vessel that carries liquids (for example oil).
Other Forms
Note
Be careful not to confuse cantankerous with cant or with non-existent related forms; use cantankerous to describe a person or animal who is ill-tempered or uncooperative.
Study Deeper
- The cantankerous old man argued with the mayor at every meeting.
- Despite his warm smile, the cantankerous professor would snap at students who interrupted.
Origin uncertain; likely American coinage from the 18thβ19th centuries, possibly formed by blending cant- (hypocritical talk) with -ankerous to describe a quarrelsome temperament.
Cantankerous: remember as cant + tank + er + ous β a person so irritable they act like a stubborn tank that wonβt move.
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Presumptive
adjectiveBased on assumption or probability; supposed or accepted as true for the sake of argument or for the purpose of reasoning, without conclusive proof.
Embellish
verbTo decorate or add details to something to make it more attractive; also used to mean exaggerating or embellishing a story.
Unassuming
adjectiveNot drawing attention to oneself; modest and unpretentious, showing little or no attempt to impress others.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Irascible
adjectiveIrritable; short-tempered; easily annoyed
Obstinate
adjectiveStubbornly refusing to change oneβs mind or course of action; unwilling to yield to reason or persuasion.
Abstruse
adjectiveDifficult to understand; obscure or highly complex.
Accidental
adjectiveHappening by chance or without deliberate planning; not intended. In music, it is also a noun for a symbol that temporarily alters a pitch.
Acerbic
adjectiveSharp or biting in tone or taste; caustic or mordant in manner.
Acquiescent
adjectiveReady to agree or approve without protest; compliant.