thornier; thorniest
thorniness
noun
Examples of thorny in a Sentence
stay out of the thorny brambles unless you want a ton of scratches
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Join Our Other Game Discussions Want to be part of the conversation about New York Times Games, or maybe get some help with a particularly thorny puzzle?
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Deb Amlen, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
Leather should not be used for potting plants in wet soil, while rubber gloves shouldn't be used for trimming a thorny rose bush.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 22 Apr. 2025
The gestures of humility endeared Francis to liberals inside and outside the Catholic Church, who hailed the pope for his unconventional decision to jump head-first into thorny political fights, frequently on behalf of minorities.
—Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 21 Apr. 2025
The political questions doctrine, which dates to 1803, is a principle saying that courts should avoid tackling thorny political questions that are best left to Congress or the president.
—Paul M. Collins Jr., The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2025
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Deb Amlen, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
Leather should not be used for potting plants in wet soil, while rubber gloves shouldn't be used for trimming a thorny rose bush.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 22 Apr. 2025
The gestures of humility endeared Francis to liberals inside and outside the Catholic Church, who hailed the pope for his unconventional decision to jump head-first into thorny political fights, frequently on behalf of minorities.
—Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 21 Apr. 2025
The political questions doctrine, which dates to 1803, is a principle saying that courts should avoid tackling thorny political questions that are best left to Congress or the president.
—Paul M. Collins Jr., The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for thorny
Cite this Entry
“Thorny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thorny. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
thorny
adjective
thornier; thorniest
1
: full of or covered with thorns
thorny rose bushes
2
: full of difficulties
a thorny problem
thorniness
noun
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