shrewish

[ shroo-ish ]

/ ˈʃru ɪʃ /

having the disposition of a shrew.

Origin of shrewish

Middle English word dating back to 1325–75; see origin at shrew¹, -ish¹

shrew·ish·ly, adverb shrew·ish·ness, noun un·shrew·ish, adjective

As played by Jessalyn Gilsig, Terri is “the shrewish, nagging wife from hell,” as Maureen Ryan of the Chicago Tribune wrote.

Glee's Harmful Simplicity |Andy Dehnart |May 17, 2010 |DAILY BEAST
The mouth had a trick of remaining slightly open, showing a line of small pearly teeth; the chin was a little sharp and shrewish.

The History of David Grieve |Mrs. Humphry Ward
Birotteau found this shrewish trader among sacks of filberts, nuts, and chestnuts.

Rise and Fall of Cesar Birotteau |Honore de Balzac
Only she was weak, hopelessly weak, and so all these things drove her to a shrewish discontent and peevishness.

The Twins of Suffering Creek |Ridgwell Cullum

And a shrewish voice called back to him in a tone of feminine spleen.

The One-Way Trail |Ridgwell Cullum
One morning a man, whose life was embittered by a froward, shrewish wife, left his house to seek the advice of Solomon.

Flowers from a Persian Garden and Other Papers |W. A. Clouston

shrewish

/ (ˈʃruːɪʃ) /

(esp of a woman) bad-tempered and nagging

shrewishly, adverb shrewishness, noun