1
2
as in irritable
easily irritated or annoyed
she dreaded having to deal with her prickly boss
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
4
as in difficult
requiring exceptional skill or caution in performance or handling
a prickly issue that will outrage at least one special interest if not handled delicately
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of prickly
The landscape views are breathtaking since the terrain is so hilly and rocky (as opposed to the flat terrain of the savannah) and covered in Lebombo euphorbia, a cactus-like tree with a single trunk and an entire canopy of prickly, upright branches.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
Plant it near tomatoes, squash and strawberries—its prickly leaves deter insect pests.
—
Barbara Gillette,
The Spruce,
26 May 2026
Early in his career, Busch could be a prickly character on the track and with the media.
—
Jim Clash,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
There were bladderpods just starting to put out yellow flowers, prickly Shaw agaves beside bright yellow-orange poppies, Western redbuds with round leaves, wild marigolds, clumps of Mexican rush and Howard McMinn manzanita, as well as sunset manzanita and dozens more.
—
Caron Golden,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for prickly
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
Plant it near tomatoes, squash and strawberries—its prickly leaves deter insect pests.
—
Barbara Gillette,
The Spruce,
26 May 2026
Early in his career, Busch could be a prickly character on the track and with the media.
—
Jim Clash,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
There were bladderpods just starting to put out yellow flowers, prickly Shaw agaves beside bright yellow-orange poppies, Western redbuds with round leaves, wild marigolds, clumps of Mexican rush and Howard McMinn manzanita, as well as sunset manzanita and dozens more.
—
Caron Golden,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for prickly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prickly
Adjective
-
Greenberg tried his best to ignore an irritating ankle injury that had plagued him the last couple of weeks and grimaced under the hazy sunlight as the pitcher, probably 20 or more years his junior, stared him down.
-
The hypoallergenic face serum is free from potentially irritating ingredients, such as parabens and synthetic fragrances, too.
Adjective
-
Cancer could be affectionate and chatty one moment, and withdrawn and irritable the next, with little to no explanation.
-
They can be withdrawn or irritable.
Adjective
-
The negotiations are meant to resolve some of the thorniest issues in the deal that are yet to be agreed upon, including Iran’s nuclear program.
-
This next round of technical talks, intended to tackle the thorny issue of Iran’s nuclear program, will be much more complicated.
Adjective
-
Some organizers say America's complicated and at times difficult history is being glossed over by fireworks and flag-waving ‒ or that it's being politicized by an administration that has actively worked to advance its version of history.
-
The move gives Marte another chance to work his way back to the major leagues after a difficult stretch that included a brief stop with the Cincinnati Reds organization earlier this year before a cut.
Adjective
-
Pelley had a very fiery clash with 60 Minutes’ new executive producer, Nick Bilton, in an internal network town hall on June 1 that went public.
-
The map introduces the armored Oni, which swings a spiked kanabō, plus Scorched Zombies and fiery Hellhounds tied to its lava-field hazards.
Adjective
-
Across Washington and Oregon, jagged walls of blackberry brambles choke out nearly every hiking trail, highway shoulder, and vacant lot in the region.
-
Why does Orange County have so many families living on the jagged edges of the local economy?
Adjective
-
According to the text of the current agreement, the most sensitive nuclear issues are not yet agreed to on paper.
-
Just last month, an attack on Canvas, a software used in schools and colleges, put thousands of students at risk by exposing sensitive information.
Adjective
-
Investing in a decadent body butter is like upgrading your flimsy blanket to a plush throw or changing scratchy sheets for a luxurious cotton set—the small change makes a huge difference in your life.
-
The often scratchy, historically fascinating recordings are given an audio backdrop of a keyboard/percussion score performed by Shortell.
Cite this Entry
“Prickly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prickly. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
