Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • In a snappish manner; peevishly; angrily; tartly.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adverb In a snappish manner.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adverb in an ill-natured and snappish manner

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

snappish +‎ -ly

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Examples

  • Loud, arch and snappishly funny, she has the mien of a runaway train, words hurtling forth, helter-skelter.

    Erica Jong: Sex and motherhood 2011

  • "Because I came out for a walk, and how can I help but hear you when you choose to talk like a tragedy queen?" asked Eliza snappishly.

    You Don't Take Names Ajay Nair 2010

  • She had snappishly told me, “Servants do not mourn!”

    The Secret of the Sealed Room Bailey MacDonald 2010

  • Weather forecasters predicted heavy rains throughout the whole of England, but the morning was bright and snappishly cold as David emerged from Grendel and the Harpist.

    Venom Joan Brady 2010

  • She gestures wildly and, pointing aggressively at the audience member who asked the question (a Congolese student), says snappishly, "I'm not going to be channeling my husband."

    Stand-Up Guy 2009

  • HENRY: snappishly He takes fish oil supplements for his heart.

    Curse of the Spellmans Lisa Lutz 2008

  • As I was looking at the book, though, the manager snappishly said to me "He normally just does heads, I hope you appreciate what you got!" which left me sort of shaking my head as I walked away.

    Archive 2008-04-01 rob! 2008

  • But it leaves survivors erratic, forgetful, capricious, and snappishly intemperate.

    Jack Lewis: Veterans Need Barack Obama 2008

  • HENRY: snappishly He takes fish oil supplements for his heart.

    Curse of the Spellmans Lisa Lutz 2008

  • After some minutes, however, during which he had reassumed his pen, he appeared to be again aware of the presence of his clients; raising his head from the paper, he said, rather snappishly — ‘Who is with me in this case?’

    The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club 2007

Comments

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  • He told me he wanted to speak with my lady marchioness. On whose business? quoth I. On my own, quoth he, somewhat snappishly.

    - Lesage, The Adventures of Gil Blas of Santillane, tr. Smollett, bk 4 ch. 8

    September 18, 2008