thorn

noun, often attributive \ ˈthȯrn \

|Updated on: 12 Jun 2018

Definition of thorn

1 a : 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\

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thorned

play \ˈthȯrnd\ adjective

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thornless

play \ˈthȯrn-ləs\ adjective

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thornlike

play \ˈthȯrn-ˌlīk\ adjective

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Examples of thorn in a Sentence

your constant questions are a thorn in my side

Recent Examples of thorn from the Web

Rattín had been a thorn in the referee’s side since the start of the game, following him around the pitch, persistently offering his opinions and protesting at his decisions.

— SI.com, "World Cup Countdown: 8 Days to Go - What if Antonio Rattín Hadn’t Been Sent Off?," 6 June 2018
Back then Shiller was a thorn in the side of Mayor Daley—speaking of party bosses—frequently voting against his budgets.

— ben joravsky, Chicago Reader, "News / Politics How Dems in red states can fight off Trump's vicious attacks," 31 May 2018
The cavy is native to Argentina, but can be found munching on vegetation across South America in savannas, thorn forest and scrub deserts, according to the release.

— jennifer larino, NOLA.com, "What's a cavy? You can now see 3 of them at the Audubon Zoo," 22 May 2018
The geography across its border varies from the forbidding canyons of Big Bend to the flat floodplains and thorn scrub of the Rio Grande Valley.

— bob ortega, CNN, "Border Patrol failed to count hundreds of migrant deaths on US soil," 14 May 2018
Seedlings can grow thorns, and flowers often smell horrible.

— ellen nibali, baltimoresun.com, "Garden Q&A: Bradford pears should now be considered an invasive trash tree," 3 May 2018
But look closely: The wires have jagged, sharp bits, like thorns.

— molly glentzer, Houston Chronicle, "Art Daybook: Karin Broker presses history into a pretty show with a steely theme," 2 May 2018
Shrikes famously skewer their prey, like trophies, on thorns or barbed wire to be eaten later.

— bruce henderson, charlotteobserver, "Carolina birders took notes for 150 years. Many of the species they saw are gone. | Charlotte Observer," 12 Apr. 2018
Bauer also responded via Twitter: Bauer fancies himself as a thorn in the side of mainstream media.

— scott boeck, USA TODAY, "Indians' Trevor Bauer angered by 'BD 911' mound-inscription assumptions," 23 May 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.