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gripey

gripey

8.4
Often complaining in a way that annoys others
  • adjective
  • /ˈɡraɪpi/
  • Informal
translation icon : quejoso
  • My neighbor is quite gripey these days.

Examples

  • His gripey attitude made the meeting less enjoyable for everyone.

  • Try not to be so gripey about minor inconveniences.

  • She became gripey after waiting in line for over an hour.

  • She is always so gripey about the weather.

  • During the meeting, his gripey attitude made it difficult to focus on the project at hand.

  • She always has a gripey comment ready about the weather whenever we meet.

  • The children became gripey after spending too much time indoors without any outdoor activities.

Synonyms

cranky
vsgripey
117 4.2

Easily annoyed and upset when tired or hungry

is often complaining but tends to be sudden irritation rather than ongoing repetitive complaint
grouchy
vsgripey
19 3.9

Easily annoyed and often in a bad mood

is often complaining but centers on moodiness not persistent vocal complaints
whiney
vsgripey
  • Offensive
3 4.8

Acting childish and complaining a lot in an annoying way

is often complaining but not necessarily in a childish way
querulous
vsgripey
  • Formal
2 9.4

Often complaining in a whiny, unhappy way

is often complaining but less childishly petulant and whining
naggy
vsgripey
  • Informal
1 6.7

Often complains and annoys others by telling them what to do

is often complaining but less focused on constant small criticisms
nagging
vsgripey
1 4.6

Always complaining in an irritating way

is often complaining but less relentlessly repetitive
grumbly
vsgripey
1 4.4

Feeling annoyed and often complaining about things

is often complaining but emphasizes low vocal grumbling rather than speaking out
narky
vsgripey
  • UK
1 9.9

Easily annoyed and quick to complain about small things

is often complaining but focuses on pettiness and sharpness rather than steady grumbling
complaining
vsgripey
3.7

A person who often says they are not happy about things

is more about persistent annoying remarks rather than a general habit

Antonyms

285 1.3

Pleased because you achieved something or got the result you wanted

108 1.0

A feeling of being happy with what you have

How Complaining

cantankerous
9 8.6
gripey
  • Informal
8.4
irritable
32 3.7
grumpy
76 1.7

Surface Forms

gripey positive
gripeyer comparative
gripeiest superlative

Morphology

gripey = gripe (transparent) = gripe + y

A straightforward adjectival formation from the verb/noun 'gripe' meaning 'complain', so a learner who knows 'gripe' will readily infer 'gripey'.

Etymology

Gripey comes from the word gripe, which came to mean 'to complain' and is related to the familiar word grip meaning 'hold'. A helpful way to remember it is to think of someone who 'holds on' to small complaints, so gripey means often grumbling or complaining.