1
: a fine sharp process or projection
especially
: a sharp pointed emergence arising from the epidermis or cortex (see cortex sense 3a) of a plant (such as a rose or raspberry) compare spine, thorn
2
: a prickling or tingling sensation
Examples of prickle in a Sentence
Noun
She felt a prickle of fear as the stranger came closer to her.
He felt the familiar prickle of excitement as the game began.
Verb
The burrs were prickling my arm.
The wool sweater prickled my skin.
My skin prickled with fear.
The hair prickled on the back of my neck.
She felt a prickling sensation in her shoulder.
Recent Examples on the Web
Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Oct. 2025
Pain might flicker, flash, prickle, drill, lancinate, pinch, cramp, tug, scald, sear, or itch.
—Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 26 May 2025
Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Bellows from the galleries roll across the fairways and right up the necks of the competitors, prickling their hairs.
—Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prickle
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.
Noun
The rose has few prickles, and the mild fragrance is that of fruit and honey.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Oct. 2025
Pain might flicker, flash, prickle, drill, lancinate, pinch, cramp, tug, scald, sear, or itch.
—Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 26 May 2025
Verb
It is spread to people and pets through the bites and scratches of an infected animal, and first symptoms may include flu, weakness, discomfort, fever, headache, as well as a prickling sensation at the site of the wound, before turning into more severe disease after around two weeks.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Bellows from the galleries roll across the fairways and right up the necks of the competitors, prickling their hairs.
—Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prickle
Cite this Entry
“Prickle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prickle. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prickle
1 of 2 noun
prick·le
ˈprik-əl 
1
: a small sharp point or a sharp pointed part (as a thorn on a plant) that sticks out
2
: a slight stinging or tingling sensation
prickle
2 of 2 verb
prickled; prickling
ˈprik-(ə-)liŋ
1
: to prick slightly
2
: to cause or feel a slight stinging or tingling sensation
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share