45 entries under tricky topic. ×

16
peevish(adjective, mean, severe, difficult, delicate)
14
cross(noun, adjective, mean, severe, difficult)
12
testy(noun, adjective, mean, severe, difficult)
12
cantankerous(adjective, mean, severe, difficult, delicate)
12
querulous(adjective, mean, hard, difficult, delicate)
8
bad-tempered(adjective, mean, difficult, delicate, cross)
8
splenetic(adjective, mean, tough, harsh, delicate)
7
choleric(adjective, sharp, difficult, harsh, delicate)
7
irascible(adjective, mean, evil, sharp, nasty)
6
crabbed(adjective, mean, tough, delicate, cross)
6
cranky(adjective, mean, difficult, delicate, cross)
6
grouchy(adjective, tough, difficult, harsh, delicate)
6
grumpy(adjective, difficult, delicate, cross, short)
6
treacherous(mean, smooth, cunning, knowing)
4
confusing(adjective, misleading)
4
subtle(mean, smooth, cunning, knowing)
3
perplexing
3
pettish(adjective, delicate, short, sensitive, irritable)
3
wily(mean, smooth, cunning, knowing)
2
mean(adjective, smooth, evil, sharp, smart)
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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>