Crankish is a word that refers to someone who is irritable or ill-tempered, and it can be challenging to find suitable synonyms for this quality. However, some words that could be used include peevish, grouchy, irascible, surly, grumpy, cantankerous, testy, crotchety, and ornery. Each of these terms describes someone who is easily annoyed or angered, and they can be used interchangeably with crankish when describing someone's mood or behavior. Whether you are trying to avoid using the word "crankish" or simply looking for alternative options, these synonyms offer a range of possibilities for expressing this particular quality.