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
Robert is an accomplished but headstrong gastroenterologist whose demeanor makes Martin’s prickly bedside manner seem warm by comparison.
—
Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2025
Glenn took offense to the question, giving a prickly response.
—Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Bromelias — prickly and shiny and smooth.
—Sofía Pereda, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025
The environment can get prickly.
—Bryan Price, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prickly
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Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2025
Glenn took offense to the question, giving a prickly response.
—Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Bromelias — prickly and shiny and smooth.
—Sofía Pereda, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025
The environment can get prickly.
—Bryan Price, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prickly
Cite this Entry
“Prickly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prickly. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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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