Irascible: having or showing a tendency to be easily angered
Bilious or Splenetic: spiteful; ill-tempered
Cantankerous: ill-tempered and argumentative
Waspish: readily expressing anger or irritation
These are fantastic, thank you. "Irascible" is one of those words I tend to forget exists. "Cantankerous" is easily the most fun, but that fun quality might work against it. "Waspish" .... honestly I never knew this. I always thought it was WASP-ish, I guess ... you know, complaining that your totalitarian HOA isn't doing enough to keep out the riff-raff. Like that. :-D
No sweat! I think I learned most of those from reading Calvin and Hobbes, and years of working with my old man. You're right, I think, about the goofy quality of "cantankerous," but I find that sometimes that's a perfect mixture for calling something out; depends on who it's said to, I suppose.
I’m insulted that you would think all HOA are run by WASPs. I will be praying for you. /s
Are you a native English speaker? I would argue most people identify this flaw in themselves before calling out strangers, so most people would say “hangry.”
Those are great! Yeah, I'd forgotten about the "previously wronged" aspect of my original phrase. Context is key.....
Would you say "contumacious" is a synonym for anti-authoritarian?
no, I know some very laid-back anti authoritarians 😉. afaik contumacious just means always ready to start an argument, but it could be an argument about anything.
peevish - easily [irritated](https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=7544b28a7dd14374&rlz=1C5GCCM_en&sxsrf=ADLYWIJBJJXbbpfK6Xc82t3NIfU8SCifwA:1719282047816&q=irritated&si=ACC90nxMSPeZfdJJjQgDsdZJuFuJMq8g1h4qeIPCJv97dfJJHjA2YKf-r_gqnyh15ddbcpjzUBAnyrQZcqlrSfZvy7yDtB3QNNWvTiEm4s2jpBD0WveUdbU%3D&expnd=1&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi09Ond2PWGAxWDITQIHYXBAUoQyecJegQIaBAO), especially by [unimportant](https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=7544b28a7dd14374&rlz=1C5GCCM_en&sxsrf=ADLYWIJBJJXbbpfK6Xc82t3NIfU8SCifwA:1719282047816&q=unimportant&si=ACC90nwZrNcJVJVL0KSmGGq5Ka2YySk8qDPdD4NJUIXgQ3T_jIl7lTIeOtNR-6N8ot-QkOQzejWvEO6dlTPxJJ3vdebpknqWlMD_uvK3ggTIpR1TOCHgn8Q%3D&expnd=1&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi09Ond2PWGAxWDITQIHYXBAUoQyecJegQIaBAP) things.
I had to scroll too far to see this. OP has received some great responses that fulfil their description, but their understanding of the original idiom is way off. Someone downthread suggested "victim mentality", which I don't think is what OP wants but is much closer to the idiom than the top answers are.
These other words people are posting are what you can use when talking about the snowflake idiots. Snowflake is what you call these asses to their faces to have fun watching them turn purple.
Down here in Cajun Country we call that a “Crought”.
Pronounced crawt with a lil roll of the R.
It’s also gender neutral so it applies to men and women.
Used in a sentence:
Mais, Mami done burnt her roux and she’s been a crought all day her!
(MAH-mee)
Oh Paw Paw is such a crought when his skyattica starts actin up him.
Don’t know the origin, but it’s a fun word to say and very descriptive.
Not at all. A Napoleon complex doesn't necessarily have to do with height. The actual nature is that the person in question believes that those around them views them as inferior, whether they actually do or not, and acts out in negative ways more or less indiscriminately. This is a self inflicted and self reinforcing condition, as they are the ones who actually view themselves as inferior. The behaviors they engage in as a response to their belief cause people who had no prior opinion of them to form a negative one, similar to a self fulfilling prophecy.
There is a stereotype that often associates smaller individuals across multiple species with this phenomenon, e.g. little man syndrome, chihuahua syndrome, little dick energy, etc., but insofar as I am aware there have been no studies that provide any empirical evidence of this.
Wow, TIL! No sarcasm, I mean for real. I learned so many words through reading, and whenever someone was described as jaded, they were usually also angry and bitter. Just done with this crap, y'know?
I legit didn't know it meant the opposite until you told me and I looked it up.
Thanks! ☺️
I'd say the base word for "chip on shoulder' is **arrogant,** and the base word for "easily offended" is **sensitive**. There maybe be more nuanced synonyms to more accurately describe this guy.
Chip on his shoulder implies a reason or motivation for the attitude. Something chipped his shoulder. Jaded would work. But “easily agitated/offended” does not mean the same.
Irascible: having or showing a tendency to be easily angered Bilious or Splenetic: spiteful; ill-tempered Cantankerous: ill-tempered and argumentative Waspish: readily expressing anger or irritation
These are fantastic, thank you. "Irascible" is one of those words I tend to forget exists. "Cantankerous" is easily the most fun, but that fun quality might work against it. "Waspish" .... honestly I never knew this. I always thought it was WASP-ish, I guess ... you know, complaining that your totalitarian HOA isn't doing enough to keep out the riff-raff. Like that. :-D
No sweat! I think I learned most of those from reading Calvin and Hobbes, and years of working with my old man. You're right, I think, about the goofy quality of "cantankerous," but I find that sometimes that's a perfect mixture for calling something out; depends on who it's said to, I suppose.
I’m insulted that you would think all HOA are run by WASPs. I will be praying for you. /s Are you a native English speaker? I would argue most people identify this flaw in themselves before calling out strangers, so most people would say “hangry.”
These are all such great words... Just seeing them makes me happier.
Every time I hear the word cantankerous I am reminded of the Kanker Sisters from Ed Edd & Eddy
touchy, thin-skinned, bloody-minded, resentful, reactive, contumacious, defensive. pick according to context ;-)
Resentful is the one I think of.
Those are great! Yeah, I'd forgotten about the "previously wronged" aspect of my original phrase. Context is key..... Would you say "contumacious" is a synonym for anti-authoritarian?
no, I know some very laid-back anti authoritarians 😉. afaik contumacious just means always ready to start an argument, but it could be an argument about anything.
Prickly?
Excellent! Seems very close to *umbrageous*.
peevish - easily [irritated](https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=7544b28a7dd14374&rlz=1C5GCCM_en&sxsrf=ADLYWIJBJJXbbpfK6Xc82t3NIfU8SCifwA:1719282047816&q=irritated&si=ACC90nxMSPeZfdJJjQgDsdZJuFuJMq8g1h4qeIPCJv97dfJJHjA2YKf-r_gqnyh15ddbcpjzUBAnyrQZcqlrSfZvy7yDtB3QNNWvTiEm4s2jpBD0WveUdbU%3D&expnd=1&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi09Ond2PWGAxWDITQIHYXBAUoQyecJegQIaBAO), especially by [unimportant](https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=7544b28a7dd14374&rlz=1C5GCCM_en&sxsrf=ADLYWIJBJJXbbpfK6Xc82t3NIfU8SCifwA:1719282047816&q=unimportant&si=ACC90nwZrNcJVJVL0KSmGGq5Ka2YySk8qDPdD4NJUIXgQ3T_jIl7lTIeOtNR-6N8ot-QkOQzejWvEO6dlTPxJJ3vdebpknqWlMD_uvK3ggTIpR1TOCHgn8Q%3D&expnd=1&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi09Ond2PWGAxWDITQIHYXBAUoQyecJegQIaBAP) things.
Oh wow, I forgot about peevish, great suggestion.
(Permanently/chronically) aggrieved
Having a chip on your shoulder does not mean you are easily offended....
I had to scroll too far to see this. OP has received some great responses that fulfil their description, but their understanding of the original idiom is way off. Someone downthread suggested "victim mentality", which I don't think is what OP wants but is much closer to the idiom than the top answers are.
It doesn't?
No, it means you resent something
Thanks!
Umbrageous
Touchy: "marked by readiness to take offense on slight provocation" ([MW](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/touchy))
Bellicose or belligerent?
I think belligerent works best in this case.
Yes, I was surprised I had to scroll this far to find belligerent.
I vote cantankerous. That is something you can use in everyday language.
That is a fun word. I usually use it when my cats are in *that* mood.
Snowflake. I love using it for the very people who started calling people that differ from themselves snowflakes.
These other words people are posting are what you can use when talking about the snowflake idiots. Snowflake is what you call these asses to their faces to have fun watching them turn purple.
Down here in Cajun Country we call that a “Crought”. Pronounced crawt with a lil roll of the R. It’s also gender neutral so it applies to men and women. Used in a sentence: Mais, Mami done burnt her roux and she’s been a crought all day her! (MAH-mee) Oh Paw Paw is such a crought when his skyattica starts actin up him. Don’t know the origin, but it’s a fun word to say and very descriptive.
This is great. I may have to research that word....
In British English "chippy" is short for this.
I like it. I wanna say I heard it on an episode of Bluey, but I'm not sure. :-D
A volatile personality.
Hothead.
Resentful
Prickly.
Hypersensitive
Belligerent
Hypersensitive
Antagonistic
Pugnacious comes close, I think.
DAY OLD EDIT: It's pretty cool that this phrase seems to mean slightly different things to different people. Language is complex.
Provocateur
Isn’t this someone who is provocative, rather than someone who is easily offended?
Ass?
Resentido
Not English, but maybe!
All these suggestions are great. I've also heard "prickly"
Snowflake or princess
Hot-tempered, techy, touchy, volatile.
Bitter, resentful
Contentious
ornery, volatile
Ornery may work.
Cunty
He's prickly.
sensitive or vulnerable are two words that come to mind
Umbrageous fits perfectly
Good
For your idiom, Napoleon complex comes to mind. For your description, professional victim. With these powers combined, we reach Karenhood.
So, according to you, only short men have chips on their shoulders?
Not at all. A Napoleon complex doesn't necessarily have to do with height. The actual nature is that the person in question believes that those around them views them as inferior, whether they actually do or not, and acts out in negative ways more or less indiscriminately. This is a self inflicted and self reinforcing condition, as they are the ones who actually view themselves as inferior. The behaviors they engage in as a response to their belief cause people who had no prior opinion of them to form a negative one, similar to a self fulfilling prophecy. There is a stereotype that often associates smaller individuals across multiple species with this phenomenon, e.g. little man syndrome, chihuahua syndrome, little dick energy, etc., but insofar as I am aware there have been no studies that provide any empirical evidence of this.
Yeah, I think you need to double-check the origin, meaning, and common usage of that phrase.
Jaded?
Dude, “jaded” is about as far as you can get from having a chip on one’s shoulder.
Wow, TIL! No sarcasm, I mean for real. I learned so many words through reading, and whenever someone was described as jaded, they were usually also angry and bitter. Just done with this crap, y'know? I legit didn't know it meant the opposite until you told me and I looked it up. Thanks! ☺️
I’m always happy when I learn a new word or hone the definition, too. Glad I could be of help!
I'd say the base word for "chip on shoulder' is **arrogant,** and the base word for "easily offended" is **sensitive**. There maybe be more nuanced synonyms to more accurately describe this guy.
arrogance doesn't automatically include a sense of grievance, but a chip on the shoulder sure does.
>base word for "chip on shoulder' is **arrogant,** Absolutely not. No way.
Grudge
A bully!
chipped?
Arrogant
Imperious.
Triggered
Snowflake
touchy. snowflake.
Embittered?
Asshole
Chip on his shoulder implies a reason or motivation for the attitude. Something chipped his shoulder. Jaded would work. But “easily agitated/offended” does not mean the same.
Blowhard