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Definition of shrewish

shrewish

/ˈʃɹuː.ɪʃ/
shrew · ish
Adverb:shrewishly
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shrewish Lexical Profile

shrewish Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Having or showing a bad-tempered, scolding, or aggressively nagging disposition (historically and derogatorily applied to a woman).

Example

"In the early acts of the play, the protagonist is portrayed with a sharp, shrewish temper that intimidates her suitors."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for shrewish
Antonyms
View all antonyms for shrewish

Word Nuance & Usage

'Shrewish' is a dated and strongly derogatory adjective applied almost exclusively to women, carrying sexist undertones when used outside historical or literary contexts.

• Rhymes for shrewish

• Nearby Words

shrewd
shrewdly
shrewdness
shrewish
shrewishly
shrewlike
shriek

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in Middle English from 'shrew' (originally referring to the small, sharp-snouted mammal once superstitiously believed to have a venomous bite, and later applied to a malicious or scolding person) plus the suffix '-ish'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Shrewish. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/shrewish
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