thornier; thorniest
1
: full of thorns
2
: full of difficulties or controversial points : ticklish
a thorny problem
thorniness noun

Examples of thorny in a Sentence

stay out of the thorny brambles unless you want a ton of scratches
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
While clarity isn’t always required for a project as thorny as this one, cohesion is. Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025 Like any passionate relationship that burned hot and ended badly, things between Melo and Denver got thorny. Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 5 Sep. 2025 The road narrowed, and dry grass and thorny scrub leaned over the dusty track, as two rhinos stepped quietly out of the undergrowth. Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025 This question becomes thornier once Dorotea visits Rocca in prison, finding her rude and abrasive though not irrational. David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for thorny

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of thorny was before the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Thorny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thorny. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

thorny

adjective
thornier; thorniest
1
: full of or covered with thorns
thorny rose bushes
2
: full of difficulties
a thorny problem
thorniness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on thorny

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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