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

2

: marked by prickling : stinging

a prickly sensation

3

a

: troublesome, vexatious

prickly issues

b

: easily irritated

had a prickly disposition

prickliness noun

Synonyms of prickly

• irritating

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

Deepfake memes grant a similar carte blanche to their creators, while introducing even pricklier questions about race and authenticity. — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026

Its signature spice comes from the prickly ginger beer that is both fizzy and cooling. — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2026

Mexico’s stability was more important than challenging its stunted democracy, prickly nationalism, and closed economy. — Robert B. Zoellick, Foreign Affairs, 9 Oct. 2026

Mungiu’s prickly, nonjudgmental studies of human behavior have sometimes led him to be branded as a provocateur. — Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing prickly

• prickly ash
• prickly heat
• prickly pear
• prickly pear cactus
• prickly pear fruit
• prickly poppy

Rhymes for prickly

• quickly
• sickly
• thickly

Kids 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