prickly

adjective

prick·​ly ˈpri-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce prickly (audio)
pricklier; prickliest
1
: full of or covered with prickles
especially : distinguished from related kinds by the presence of prickles
2
: marked by prickling : stinging
a prickly sensation
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 In some sense, that bitter, prickly sentiment feels more vulnerable than anything revealed on his latest album. Lindsay Zoladz, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024 Instead, the Canadians are front and center, and their easy, prickly affection proves palpable. Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 14 Mar. 2024 More:Read Derek Myers' full response to Enquirer questions 'Keep your nose out of my family' Myers, 31, has been among the pricklier candidates aiming to succeed Wenstrup. Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, 12 Mar. 2024 Taking a break from previously charming and approachable roles, Stone goes hard as a prickly woman on the verge of explosion, which finally arrives towards the end of the film when Sam berates her father in a memorable monologue. Shania Russell, EW.com, 10 Mar. 2024 America’s great indigenous art had evolved from the exuberant transgressions of the 1920s to the danceable rhythms of the swing era to the prickly cubism of bebop. James Kaplan, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2024 Predictably, not everyone enjoys dealing with prickly neighbors — or any neighbors, for that matter. Keith Wagstaff, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2024 Farther south, roads and neighborhoods in Eagle Mountain were also flooded by the prickly debris. Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2024 Expansion has been a prickly subject there since the institute opened in the early 1960s. Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prickly.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of prickly was in 1578

Dictionary Entries Near prickly

Cite this Entry

“Prickly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prickly. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

prickly

adjective
prick·​ly ˈprik-lē How to pronounce prickly (audio)
-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

More from Merriam-Webster on prickly

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