6
grumpy(adjective, difficult, delicate, cross, short)
6
nit-picking(adjective, severe, harsh, cross, critical)
6
quibbling(adjective, description, trifling, characterization, judgement)
6
treacherous(mean, smooth, cunning, tricky, knowing)
5
crotchety(adjective, mean, tough, difficult, harsh)
5
demanding(adjective, severe, harsh, critical, meticulous)
5
disparaging(adjective, mean, severe, sharp, nasty)
5
fractious(adjective, mean, cross, short, irritable)
5
ill-tempered(adjective, short, grumpy, crabby, sulky)
5
niggling(adjective, severe, sharp, harsh, critical)
5
tetchy(adjective, mean, cross, short, sensitive)
4
acrimonious(adjective, mean, tough, severe, sharp)
4
capricious(adjective, description, caprice, characterization, judgement)
4
cavilling
4
confusing(adjective, tricky, misleading)
4
curmudgeonly
4
harsh(adjective, tough, severe, awkward, irritable)
4
nagging(adjective, severe, harsh, cross, critical)
4
particular(severe, sharp, harsh, critical, meticulous)
4
petty(adjective, trivial)
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APASmart Define. (2015). captious thesaurus. Retrieved September 20, 2026, from https://smartdefine.org/captious/thesaurus/synonyms
ChicagoSmart Define. 2015. "captious thesaurus" https://smartdefine.org/captious/thesaurus/synonyms (accessed September 20, 2026).
HarvardSmart Define 2015, captious thesaurus, Smart Define, viewed 20 September, 2026, <https://smartdefine.org/captious/thesaurus/synonyms>.
MLASmart Define. "captious thesaurus" 13 April 2015. Web. 20 September 2026. <https://smartdefine.org/captious/thesaurus/synonyms>