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.

It is altogether a mistake," said Mrs. Heiberg, absorbed in counting her stitches, "altogether a mistake that genius is marked by restlessness, refractoriness, an irregular life, or the like.

From Recollections of My Childhood and Youth by Brandes, Georg Morris Cohen

I considered them, therefore, as beings influenced by the most deplorable obduracy and refractoriness of spirit.

From The Devil's Elixir Vol. I (of 2) by Hoffmann, E. T. A. (Ernst Theodor Amadeus)

The refractoriness and the indolence of Frau Ceres were very serviceable, at first, in lending to the whole establishment an air of respectability.

From Villa Eden: The Country-House on the Rhine by Auerbach, Berthold

The disciplinarian, defeated in his attempt on Robinson, was compensated by a rare stroke of good fortune—a case of real refractoriness even this was not perfect, but it answered every purpose.

From It Is Never Too Late to Mend by Reade, Charles

An act of oblivion, as I may call it, shall pass upon all your former refractoriness: and you will once more make us happy in you, and in one another.

From Clarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady — Volume 1 by Richardson, Samuel