spinier; spiniest
1
: abounding with difficulties, obstacles, or annoyances : thorny
spiny problems
2
: covered or armed with spines
broadly
: bearing spines, prickles, or thorns
3
: slender and pointed like a spine
spininess
noun
Synonyms of spiny
Examples of spiny in a Sentence
this promises to be a spiny problem to negotiate
Recent Examples on the Web
In spring, holly is especially important—its spiny or thick foliage provides a safe, predator-resistant space for squirrels and small mammals to raise their young.
—
Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 20 Jan. 2026
One is the ornate mausoleum of the Islamic Republic’s founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, which features a huge golden dome and four spiny minarets visible for miles, a sprawling parking lot with space for twenty thousand vehicles, and a mall of souvenir shops and kebab restaurants.
—Robin Wright, New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2026
In late November, the annual Anegada Lobster Festival takes the island's year-round lobster love and turns it into an obsession, with local restaurants featuring special dishes and plenty of events making the spiny Anegada lobster the star of the show.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2026
In its first year, a rosette of spiny leaves forms is followed in year two, by flowers in the pink to deep red spectrum.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 20 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spiny
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 20 Jan. 2026
One is the ornate mausoleum of the Islamic Republic’s founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, which features a huge golden dome and four spiny minarets visible for miles, a sprawling parking lot with space for twenty thousand vehicles, and a mall of souvenir shops and kebab restaurants.
—Robin Wright, New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2026
In late November, the annual Anegada Lobster Festival takes the island's year-round lobster love and turns it into an obsession, with local restaurants featuring special dishes and plenty of events making the spiny Anegada lobster the star of the show.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2026
In its first year, a rosette of spiny leaves forms is followed in year two, by flowers in the pink to deep red spectrum.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 20 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spiny
Cite this Entry
“Spiny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spiny. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
