often attributive
1
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\
Examples of thorn in a Sentence
your constant questions are a thorn in my side
Recent Examples on the Web
An individual bush can grow up to 15 feet high and 40 feet long, with thick stems, also known as canes, marked by sharp, hooked thorns.
—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
25 June 2026
Waiting in the wings are short sellers — long a thorn in Musk’s side — who have been increasing their bets against the company in the wake of recent drops in share price, as Reuters reports.
—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
24 June 2026
Every single product is impeccable; the only thorn in any of their sides is the admittedly high price point.
—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
23 June 2026
The match was set, and now Rhodes will defend the title against the two thorns in his side since before Clash in Italy.
—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for thorn
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show current usage.
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The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
25 June 2026
Waiting in the wings are short sellers — long a thorn in Musk’s side — who have been increasing their bets against the company in the wake of recent drops in share price, as Reuters reports.
—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
24 June 2026
Every single product is impeccable; the only thorn in any of their sides is the admittedly high price point.
—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
23 June 2026
The match was set, and now Rhodes will defend the title against the two thorns in his side since before Clash in Italy.
—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for thorn
Cite this Entry
“Thorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thorn. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
thorn
noun1
: a woody plant bearing sharp processes (as prickles or spines)
especially
: hawthorn
2
: a sharp stiff process on a plant
especially
: a stem modified into a short, stiff, and leafless sharp point
3
: something or someone that causes distress or irritation
—often used in the phrase thorn in one's side
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