irascible

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.

Ms. Jackson is no apologist—her James has flaws aplenty—but where prior historians offered snide caricature, she portrays a complex leader who was “intelligent, resilient, idiosyncratic, irascible, guileful and witty.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 5, 2025

Verity, an irascible but hugely successful aging Hollywood star, alternates narration with his younger best friend Helen in a story involving an aspiring scriptwriter named Phoebe.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 3, 2025

He said that "they were similar characters, they were irascible, witty and caustic, and both were interested in writing".

From BBC • Nov. 24, 2025

The club identifies, correctly, as a titan, and — under Pérez’s stewardship, in particular — it has taken great pride in living the values associated with the classical definition of that term: impetuous, impulsive, irascible.

From New York Times • Apr. 5, 2024

While it did not incapacitate the president, it did weaken him and, according to his cabinet, made him even more irascible.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela