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ornery Synonyms
Another word for ornery
Choosing another word for ornery that fits your sentence is easier when synonyms and similar words are paired with an exact adjective definition and ranked by match strength.
• adjective (Context 1)
Bad-tempered, irritable, and stubbornly difficult to deal with.
Usage Example
"The old mule became increasingly cantankerous whenever the weather turned cold and damp."
Strongest
cantankerous
bad-tempered
crotchety
crabby
Strong
grouchy
irascible
surly
obstinate
fractious
quarrelsome
Opposites of ornery
The opposite of ornery shifts depending on context. Common opposites include:
good-natured
amiable
agreeable
docile
affable
compliant
pleasant
cooperative
• Nearby Words
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Synonyms for Ornery. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/synonyms/ornery