Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

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.

See Examples For:

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

Even the ornery and Scrooge-like Walter can’t help but become emotional at reading that.

From Salon Nov. 23, 2023

It falls to Asha, her quirky friends, an ornery talking goat sidekick and a cute fallen star to rebel against Magnifico to get the wishes back.

From Seattle Times Nov. 21, 2023

She earned her name by her ornery behavior with staff and other bison, said Racheal Komulainen, the park’s animal keeper.

From Los Angeles Times Sep. 15, 2023

“Yes, Billy. She had a tough go of it, but she’s a strong woman. She must be to keep an ornery boy like you in line.”

From "Moon Over Manifest" by Clare Vanderpool

Brustein’s universalism grew ornerier and more claustrophobic with age.

From Los Angeles Times Nov. 8, 2023

He was mebby thinking how much ornerier that would make the hull scheme.

From Danny's Own Story by Don Marquis

Pitching in the brilliant sunshine July sunshine with temperatures in the low 80s, the orneriest of the Mariners starters delivered an outstanding performance in a season filled with them.

From Seattle Times Jul. 20, 2023

In a family with six children, Bob wasn’t the oldest Stoops child - that title belongs to brother Ron Jr. - but Kathy says Bob was the edgiest, the feistiest, the orneriest.

From Washington Times Sep. 4, 2017

“Colleen was the orneriest one in the pool, but boy, could she swim!”

From Washington Times Jan. 7, 2017

It's typical of the venom-tipped but still lyrical reflections stashed throughout the 15 tunes on this high-velocity workout by one of the orneriest but most beguiling rockers in the neighborhood.

From Time Magazine Archive

But even at their orneriest, consonants were fun.

From "Maniac Magee" by Jerry Spinelli




Vocabulary lists containing ornery


Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Join 12,000,000 vocabulary learners

Start learning new words today on VocabTrainer.
You'll remember them forever.

Start training