noun
- the quality of being difficult to deal with, stubborn, or bad-tempered
Usage: informal
Examples
- The child’s orneriness made bedtime a daily struggle.
- His orneriness increased as he got older and more set in his ways.
- She blamed her orneriness on lack of sleep and too much coffee.
- The mule’s orneriness was legendary among the ranch hands.
- Despite his orneriness, everyone knew he had a good heart.
- Her orneriness often masked her deep insecurity about change.