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
Flynn has persistently been a thorn in the side of Wu all year, and some of his proposals are legit.
—
Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
And with a team that has not been the biggest thorn in their side over the last 15 seasons.
—Jon MacHota, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
Though often a thorn in conservatives’ side, Kennedy nevertheless regularly voted with the court’s right-leaning bloc.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
Andrew Greif The Chiefs receiver just made a highlight-worthy catch to put his team in position to score a touchdown and extend its lead to 22-9, but he's been a thorn in the side of New York's defense all night, with five catches for 71 yards, including a touchdown.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for thorn
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Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
And with a team that has not been the biggest thorn in their side over the last 15 seasons.
—Jon MacHota, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
Though often a thorn in conservatives’ side, Kennedy nevertheless regularly voted with the court’s right-leaning bloc.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
Andrew Greif The Chiefs receiver just made a highlight-worthy catch to put his team in position to score a touchdown and extend its lead to 22-9, but he's been a thorn in the side of New York's defense all night, with five catches for 71 yards, including a touchdown.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for thorn
Cite this Entry
“Thorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thorn. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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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