5
wayward(adjective, support, mean, attitude, informal)
4
bad-tempered(adjective, mean, sharp, difficult, delicate)
4
combative(adjective, mean, sharp, nasty, difficult)
4
contemptible(adjective, mean, irritable, crabby, cranky)
4
contumacious(tough, firm, negative, unreasonable, hostile)
4
cussed(adjective, mean, tough, evil, sharp)
4
dyspeptic(adjective, mean, unpleasant, disagreeable, crabby)
4
evil(adjective, mean, sharp, nasty, offensive)
4
fretful(adjective, mean, informal, cross, nervous)
4
grotty(adjective, bad, nasty, awful, disgusting)
4
loathsome(adjective, bad, nasty, awful, terrible)
4
loutish(adjective, rough, rude, coarse, awkward)
4
malevolent(adjective, mean, nasty, unpleasant, violent)
4
peevish(adjective, difficult, sensitive, irritable, touchy)
4
querulous(adjective, mean, difficult, delicate, cross)
4
restive(adjective, informal, negative, nervous, hostile)
4
rotten(adjective, mean, bad, awful, disgusting)
4
scrappy(adjective, mean, sharp, nasty, informal)
4
snappish(adjective, mean, difficult, nervous, irritable)
4
spiteful(adjective, mean, nasty, informal, cross)
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APASmart Define. (2015). ornery thesaurus. Retrieved September 24, 2026, from https://smartdefine.org/ornery/thesaurus/synonyms
ChicagoSmart Define. 2015. "ornery thesaurus" https://smartdefine.org/ornery/thesaurus/synonyms (accessed September 24, 2026).
HarvardSmart Define 2015, ornery thesaurus, Smart Define, viewed 24 September, 2026, <https://smartdefine.org/ornery/thesaurus/synonyms>.
MLASmart Define. "ornery thesaurus" 30 November 2015. Web. 24 September 2026. <https://smartdefine.org/ornery/thesaurus/synonyms>