curmudgeonly

This term describes a specific brand of irritability that is often perceived as habitual or ingrained. It carries a connotation of stubbornness and a general distaste for change or modern trends, frequently evoking the image of a grumpy old man who finds fault in everything. While it denotes a negative temperament, the word is sometimes used with a touch of affectionate irony or mild amusement, suggesting a character who is predictably difficult rather than maliciously cruel.