thorny

1 of 2

adjective

ˈthȯr-nē 

thornier; thorniest

1

: full of thorns

2

: full of difficulties or controversial points : ticklish

a thorny problem

thorniness noun

thorniness

2 of 2

noun

thorn·​i·​ness

-nēnə̇s, 

-nin-

plural -es

: the quality or state of being thorny

Synonyms of thorny

Adjective

• jagged
• prickly
• scratchy
• brambly

Examples of thorny in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

As Charles and Cathy, the duo is gifted the show’s thorniest relationship. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 29 Sep. 2026

One thorny issue has been how to deal with threatened wastewater infrastructure on San Francisco’s coast, along Ocean Beach. — Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026

Director Janus Metz Pedersen elides the thornier aspects of Kaczynski’s life and career and instead focuses primarily on his years as a Harvard undergrad, intercutting it with the FBI manhunt that finally brought him to justice in 1996. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026

When Bender considers moving to a rival network, Wever fleshes out the tough carapace of a woman who, even under the thorniest of circumstances, never stops calculating her next move. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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