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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

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 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

Violet couldn’t hear me from where she was, and even if she could, she was ornery enough not to budge.

From "Hattie Big Sky" by Kirby Larson




Vocabulary lists containing ornery