irritable
Adjective
This word describes a state of low emotional threshold where the slightest provocation triggers a negative reaction. It suggests a volatile mood that is often temporary or driven by an underlying physical or mental strain, such as illness, hunger, or stress. It focuses on the predisposition to react poorly rather than a permanent personality trait of being mean. In medical contexts, it refers to tissues or organs that respond abnormally or excessively to stimuli, such as an irritable bowel. This creates a bridge between emotional instability and physiological sensitivity, where the core concept is an overreaction to an external trigger.