ornery

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.

But O’Neill’s 1921 drama poses ornery challenges for an actress—and not just because Greta Garbo immortalized the role in her first “talkie.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 14, 2025

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

The publicity-shy author famously had an ornery reaction to that win, giving an interviewer who broke the news “two minutes” on the phone to ask his questions so that she could have her morning coffee.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 13, 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

Maybe it was just that ornery part of me making trouble again.

From "Willodeen" by Katherine Applegate