irritable and bad tempered crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome! If you're stuck on the clue "irritable and bad tempered" in your crossword puzzle, you've come to the right place. We've compiled a comprehensive list of potential answers, complete with explanations and tips to help you complete your puzzle with ease.
Solutions for "irritable and bad tempered crossword clue" by Letter Count
5 Letters
TESTY: Easily annoyed; irritable. Often used to describe someone who is short-tempered or touchy.
SURLY: Bad-tempered and unfriendly. Implies a sense of ungraciousness or hostility.
6 Letters
GRUMPY: Exhibiting a habitually sullen or gloomy mood, often characterized by a bad temper.
7 Letters
PEEVISH: Easily irritated, especially by unimportant things. Suggests a childish or petulant annoyance.
9 Letters
IRASCIBLE: Having or showing a tendency to be easily angered. A more formal term for hot-tempered.
More About "irritable and bad tempered crossword clue"
The phrase "irritable and bad tempered" describes a common human disposition that crosswords frequently explore. This type of clue often tests a solver's vocabulary for synonyms related to negative emotions, moodiness, and short fuses. Understanding the subtle differences between words like 'grumpy', 'testy', and 'irascible' is key to selecting the correct answer, as each carries its own specific nuance of ill-temper.
Crossword constructors love these types of clues because they offer a rich pool of synonyms with varying lengths, allowing them to fit different puzzle grids. When you encounter such a clue, think about the intensity of the temper, whether it's a constant trait or a temporary state, and if there's any hint of a reason for the bad mood within the clue itself. This contextual analysis can often lead you to the precise word needed to unlock the puzzle.
Remember that a word like 'churlish' might fit the bad-tempered aspect, but not necessarily the 'irritable' side, while 'cross' might be too mild for the full phrase. Precision in synonym selection is paramount in crosswords, especially when dealing with complex emotional states.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Context is King: Always consider the overall theme or adjacent clues in your crossword. Sometimes a clue's meaning is subtly influenced by its surroundings.
- Count Your Letters: Before even thinking of a word, count the exact number of squares available for the answer. This immediately eliminates many possibilities and is crucial for clues like "irritable and bad tempered" which have many synonyms.
- Look for Suffixes and Prefixes: Many words indicating states of mind or temper might have common prefixes (e.g., 'dis-', 'un-') or suffixes (e.g., '-ish', '-y'). These can give hints even if you don't know the full word.
- Check Plurals and Verb Tenses: Ensure your proposed answer matches the grammatical requirement of the clue. If the clue implies a plural, your answer must be plural. If it's a past tense verb, so should your answer be.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I find synonyms for crossword clues like 'irritable and bad tempered'?
To find synonyms for such clues, consider the exact nuance of the phrase. Words like 'grumpy', 'testy', 'peevish', 'surly', and 'irascible' all fit, but differ slightly in their emphasis. Dictionaries and online thesauri are excellent resources. Also, pay attention to the number of letters required for the answer, as this narrows down possibilities significantly.
Why do some crossword clues have multiple answers for the same meaning?
Crossword constructors often use words with similar meanings but different lengths to allow for flexibility in puzzle design. Depending on the intersecting words, different synonyms of a clue might fit. This also adds to the challenge, as solvers must consider context and letter count carefully.
What's the best strategy for solving mood-related crossword clues?
When encountering mood-related clues, start by thinking of common emotions and their synonyms. Consider if the clue implies a temporary state or a habitual disposition. Look for prefixes or suffixes that might indicate intensity or negation. Cross-referencing with other solved words in the puzzle is crucial to narrow down possibilities.