irascible
7 synonyms and 4 antonyms for irascible, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Easily made angry; quick-tempered by nature.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use irascible
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
irascible temper
irascible old man
famously irascible
irascible but kind
Formal and often affectionate, applied to a character rather than a one-off mood.
Etymology
From Latin irascibilis, from irasci 'to grow angry', from ira 'anger'.
Full origin of irascible →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between irascible and irritable?
Irritable describes a state you can be in temporarily, perhaps from tiredness or hunger. Irascible describes a settled disposition: the person is built that way and flares up easily at any time.
Is irascible an insult?
It is critical, but a mild and often fond criticism. It is frequently used of respected, difficult people such as veteran teachers, chefs and editors.
How do you pronounce irascible?
Say ih-RAS-uh-bul, with the stress on the second syllable and the sc pronounced as a simple s sound.
