crabbed
adjective
crab·bed ˈkra-bəd 
1
: marked by a forbidding moroseness
a crabbed view of human nature
2
: difficult to read or understand
crabbed handwriting
crabbedness noun
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web This is a truly crabbed and reductive view of the man and his work. 
Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2021 Guston’s searingly funny caricatures of Richard M. Nixon and his corrupt White House cronies, drawn mostly in short, crabbed lines, have been exhibited only twice before — once in Manhattan (2016) and once in London (2017). Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2019 No one can accuse this Court of having a crabbed view of the reach of its competence. WSJ, 27 June 2019 The core error here is the Texas Supreme Court’s crabbed understanding of Obergefell. Dale Carpenter, Washington Post, 2 July 2017
Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2021 Guston’s searingly funny caricatures of Richard M. Nixon and his corrupt White House cronies, drawn mostly in short, crabbed lines, have been exhibited only twice before — once in Manhattan (2016) and once in London (2017). Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2019 No one can accuse this Court of having a crabbed view of the reach of its competence. WSJ, 27 June 2019 The core error here is the Texas Supreme Court’s crabbed understanding of Obergefell. Dale Carpenter, Washington Post, 2 July 2017 Word History
Etymology
Middle English, partly from crabbe crustacean, partly from crabbe crab apple
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
crabbed
adjective
crab·bed ˈkra-bəd
: crabby
crabbedness
noun
as in disagreeableness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- disagreeableness
- crossness
- sullenness
- improperness
- grumpiness
- bluntness
- brusqueness
- crustiness
- surliness
- unsuitability
- unfitness
- abruptness
- gruffness
- inappropriateness
- caddishness
- loutishness
- boorishness
- churlishness
- curtness
- impertinency
- sharpness
- arrogance
- presumption
- indecency
- clownishness
- vulgarity
- impropriety
- discourteousness
- incorrectness
- boldness
- crudeness
- conceitedness
- audacity
- brashness
- disrespectfulness
- sauciness
- disrespect
- shamelessness
- inconsiderateness
- forwardness
- ungraciousness
- conceit
- brassiness
- impoliteness
- incivility
- pretence
- rudeness
- pretentiousness
- impudence
- pretense
- inconsideration
- insolence
- dis
- pretension
- discourtesy
- impertinence
- diss
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- consideration
- politeness
- thoughtfulness
- genteelness
- humility
- considerateness
- meekness
- graciousness
- gentility
- civility
- courtesy
- deference
- modesty
- suitability
- goodness
- appropriateness
- acceptability
- fitness
- politesse
- respectability
- submissiveness
- correctness
- hospitality
- rightness
- decency
- propriety
- friendliness
- respectableness
- kindness
- respectfulness
- decorousness
- grace
- geniality
- affability
- felicitousness
- dutifulness
- suitableness
- seemliness
- gracefulness
- cordiality
- over-the-count
- over-the-counter
- over-the-hill
- over-the-road
- over-the-top
- over-the-tran
- over-the-transom
- over-under
- overabound
- overabounded
- overabounding
- overabounds
- overabstract
- overabstracted
- overabstracting
- overabstraction
- overabstractions
- overabstracts
- overabundance
- overabundances
- overabundant
- overabundantly
- overaccentuate
- overaccentuated
- overaccentuates