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

“There was unrest in so many corners, in so many ways and it just happened that you had a candidate who was irascible enough to be able to tap into that unrest,” said Coleman.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 13, 2024

However, all writers about them, from Romans to modern zookeepers, decry their irascible temper and their nasty habit of biting people.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond