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ornery

[awr-nuh-ree] / ˈɔr nə ri /


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Josh Charles stars as a talented but ornery surgeon who leaves his career in Boston to become a doctor in a small town.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 28, 2025

Quesada said she’d surprise him at times with funny little stories “about her more ornery days.”

From Seattle Times • Feb. 28, 2024

The Chargers are expecting the Dallas Cowboys to be more ornery than usual coming off an “embarrassing” blowout loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 16, 2023

With his wild, Einsteinian coif, Romantic poet adoration and cryptic, sometimes ornery nature, Dylan is often held up as an emblematic example of the modern male genius.

From New York Times • Jul. 7, 2023

“Better believe I have. It’s that old ornery bastard Demon.”

From "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls




Vocabulary lists containing ornery