testiness

noun

Definition of testinessnext
as in irritability
readiness to show annoyance or impatience attributed his unusual testiness this morning to being hungry

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 testiness The Warriors trailed by 11 points after a first quarter notable mostly for some late Golden State testiness. — Ron Kroichick, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 Jan. 2026 Corbett said the testiness started in Florida and returned with the team to Charlotte. — Joseph Person, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for testiness
  1. irritability
  2. aggression
Noun
  • Eating earlier than noon could lead to hunger before dinner, while waiting too long to eat lunch may increase fatigue or irritability.
    — Trista Chan, HEALTH, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Some people also report low mood, irritability, or even depressed states.
    — Teresa Maalouf, Verywell Health, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of irritability
Noun
  • The regime’s final refuge now lies in the self-deception of fearful nations that still believe accommodating aggression can secure a durable peace.
    — Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Lastly, Harford County Animal Control urges residents to notify them at 410-638-3505 if anyone observes a stray animal showing signs of excessive affection, aggression, lethargy, or disorientation.
    — Michelle Richardson, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of aggression

Browse Nearby Words

testimony
testiness
testing
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Testiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/testiness. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All