thorn

noun, often attributive

\ ˈthȯrn

Definition of thorn

1a : a sharp rigid process on a plant especially : one that is a short, indurated, sharp-pointed, and leafless modified stem — compare prickle, spine

b : any of various sharp spinose structures on an animal

2 : a woody plant bearing sharp impeding processes (such as prickles or spines) especially : hawthorn

3 : something that causes distress or irritation —often used in the phrase thorn in one's side

4 : the runic letter þ used in Old English and Middle English to represent either of the fricatives \th\ or \t͟h\ and in Icelandic to represent \th\

Other Words from thorn Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about thorn

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Other Words from thorn

thorned \ ˈthȯrnd

\ adjective

thornless \ ˈthȯrn-ləs

\ adjective

thornlike \ ˈthȯrn-ˌlīk

\ adjective

Examples of thorn in a Sentence

your constant questions are a thorn in my side

Recent Examples on the Web

Darting clusters of weaverbirds filled the camel thorn branches above us. — Stanley Stewart, Condé Nast Traveler, "Going Off-Grid in Namibia," 21 Dec. 2018 The rising violence has become a thorn in the side of departing President Enrique Peña Nieto and is widely cited as one reason why the ruling-party candidate is trailing in a distant third position just over two months before the vote. — Juan Montes, WSJ, "Mexican Students Met Gruesome Fate, Prosecutors Say," 24 Apr. 2018 The show paints Palmerston, played by Laurence Fox, as the Queen's political rival, and frankly a real thorn in her side. — Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, "Who Was Queen Victoria's Foreign Secretary, Lord Palmerston?," 20 Jan. 2019 That was a thorn for the Ducks, who had to protect veteran Kevin Bieksa and expose youngsters Josh Manson and Sami Vatanen. — Helene Elliott, latimes.com, "The Golden Knights were supposed to be competitive, not mounting a Stanley Cup run," 29 Apr. 2018 Hopefully the extra wait means a smooth and polished launch though, as that’s been a notorious thorn with Total Wars past. — Hayden Dingman, PCWorld, "This week in games: Hollow Knight gets a sequel, Neill Blomkamp makes a live-action Anthem trailer," 15 Feb. 2019 Meanwhile, Cruz, once the ultimate thorn in Republicans’ sides as a performative anti-establishment conservative, seems to have put his political theater to the side — and is now in need of a GOP rescue mission. — Tara Golshan, Vox, "Ted Cruz’s surprisingly competitive battle against Beto O’Rourke, explained," 12 Sep. 2018 A mile more: of chastising thorns, burs and briers that catch at our clothes; of rusty pine needles brilliant with gaudy fungus and molted feathers. — Danny Heitman, WSJ, "An Ode to Holiday Companionship," 21 Dec. 2018 Long, who was a constant thorn in Arsenal's side, got up well to meet a Tadic cross, and forced Cech to push the ball out for a corner down to his right hand side. — SI.com, "Arsenal 3-2 Southampton: Danny Welbeck Turns on the Style to Snatch Win for the Gunners," 8 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'thorn.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.