prickly
adjective
prick·ly
ˈpri-k(ə-)lē 
pricklier; prickliest
1
: full of or covered with prickles
especially
: distinguished from related kinds by the presence of prickles
3
a
: troublesome, vexatious
prickly issues
b
: easily irritated
had a prickly disposition
prickliness
noun
Examples of prickly in a Sentence
The plant's leaves are prickly.
she tried to ignore the feel of the prickly grass against her skin
Recent Examples on the Web
Based on the bestselling novel by Bart Baker, Honeymoon with Harry follows a rough-around-the-edges man (Gyllenhaal) who ends up sharing an unwanted journey with his fiancée’s prickly, overprotective father (Costner) after a life-altering turn upends their plans.
—
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 8 June 2026
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
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Matt Grobar, Deadline, 8 June 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for prickly
Cite this Entry
“Prickly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prickly. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prickly
adjective
prick·ly
ˈprik-lē
-ə-lē
pricklier; prickliest
1
: full of or covered with prickles
prickly plants
2
: marked by slight stinging or tingling
a prickly sensation
prickliness
noun
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