prickle

verb

prickled; prickling ˈpri-k(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce prickle (audio)
Synonyms of pricklenext

transitive verb

1
: to prick slightly
2
: to produce prickles in

intransitive verb

: to cause or feel a prickling, tingling, or stinging sensation

Examples of prickle in a Sentence

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
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.
As Luke walks off, his shirt undone and his furry belly prickling in the desert cold, Danny turns and stares out into the backyard. Brian Moylan, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026 Retatrutide has shown similar side effects, as well as a prickling sensation known as dysesthesia. Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026 An awareness of absent ancestors prickles through her writing, but at the same time, her fictional worlds feel solid and present. Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 17 Feb. 2026 Warning signs of frostbite include: Cold skin A prickling sensation Numbness Skin that appears discolored or looks different than normal Hard or waxy-looking skin Muscle stiffness. Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 22 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prickle

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1522, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of prickle was circa 1522

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Prickle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prickle. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

prickle

1 of 2 noun
prick·​le ˈprik-əl How to pronounce prickle (audio)
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 How to pronounce prickle (audio)
1
: to prick slightly
2
: to cause or feel a slight stinging or tingling sensation

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