thorny

adjective

ˈthȯr-nē 

thornier; thorniest

1

: full of thorns

2

: full of difficulties or controversial points : ticklish

a thorny problem

thorniness noun

Synonyms of thorny

• jagged
• prickly
• scratchy
• brambly

Examples of thorny in a Sentence

stay out of the thorny brambles unless you want a ton of scratches

Recent Examples on the Web

There’s a broader economic argument for self-driving cars in countries whose populations are rapidly aging as birth rates decline—a particularly thorny problem in China and elsewhere in Asia. —Sydney Lake, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025

The cost of health care and health insurance have long been thorny political issues and central to the debate around reopening the government amid a record-long shutdown. —Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025

Perception versus reality can be a thorny topic in this always-ready-for-a-closeup world, but guests celebrated a certain groundedness. —Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2025

To say nothing about the thorny question of its genre—do Eastern European writers need to provide more explanations and justifications when using the technique of autofiction? —Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for thorny

• corny
• horny

Kids Definition

thorny

adjective

ˈthȯr-nē 

thornier; thorniest

1

: full of or covered with thorns

thorny rose bushes

2

: full of difficulties

a thorny problem

thorniness noun