Standard Lemma guide

cantankerously

adv · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

adv

Meaning 1

In a cantankerous manner.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adverb

Meaning 2

in a bad mood

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • he answered her cantankerously

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English cantankerous Middle English -ly English -ly English cantankerously From cantankerous + -ly.