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

The short, prickly needles make junipers unattractive to deer, unlike, for example, deer-magnet arborvitaes. — Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2026

Lloyd would release nine solo albums after Television, and he and Verlaine, despite a prickly relationship, occasionally reunited the band. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 7 Nov. 2026

The three Democrats appeared side by side in a display of unity between two branches of government with a sometimes-prickly relationship. — Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026

The accent was particularly important to get right, as Heumann’s Brooklyn upbringing was a huge part of her life, and indicative of her prickly personality. — Kristen Lopez, IndieWire, 2 Nov. 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