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
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
Cannes is meant to launch ambitious, prickly works by grandmasters and next-generation talents.
—Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for prickly
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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
Cannes is meant to launch ambitious, prickly works by grandmasters and next-generation talents.
—Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 22 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 5 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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