1
2
as in irritable
easily irritated or annoyed
she dreaded having to deal with her prickly boss
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
4
as in difficult
requiring exceptional skill or caution in performance or handling
a prickly issue that will outrage at least one special interest if not handled delicately
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of prickly
There’s the prickly one sporting a spiked collar and the wannabe cowboy twirling a lasso.
—
Ariel Bleicher, Quanta Magazine, 16 Apr. 2025
Lawrence will play Judge Stone, a former prosecutor known for his prickly attitude and tough sentencing.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 11 Apr. 2025
Our band, too, found ourselves on a prickly path to one of the most revered venues in the country.
—Ryan Miller, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2025
Presented between columns equipped with needle-like installations, the designer showed sultry, body-hugging looks with prickly prints and comfy, padded pieces.
—Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prickly
Ariel Bleicher, Quanta Magazine, 16 Apr. 2025
Lawrence will play Judge Stone, a former prosecutor known for his prickly attitude and tough sentencing.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 11 Apr. 2025
Our band, too, found ourselves on a prickly path to one of the most revered venues in the country.
—Ryan Miller, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2025
Presented between columns equipped with needle-like installations, the designer showed sultry, body-hugging looks with prickly prints and comfy, padded pieces.
—Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prickly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prickly
Adjective
-
There’s never been a more irritating trio of possible playoff opponents than Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler and Dan Hayes.—
Aaron Gleeman,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
-
Like nails on a chalkboard, whining—an irritating blend of talking and crying—has the ability to make almost any parent either lose their temper or cave.—
Debby Waldman,
Parents,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
It is believed to reduce pain and inflammation, and has been used for treatment of back pain, high blood pressure, arthritis, migraines, and irritable bowel disease.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
4 Apr. 2025
-
And even in what was a stilted match played in an increasingly irritable atmosphere, Rogers and Tielemans delivered with an assist each.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The climate crisis is a big, thorny problem that demands nuance and thoughtful reflection.—
Sammy Roth,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2025
-
The cases have raised thorny legal questions about jurisdiction as well as First Amendment rights to free speech, which extend to both citizens and noncitizens under the US Constitution.—
Gloria Pazmino,
CNN Money,
14 May 2025
Adjective
-
Rust, a difficult movie to release, grossed $25k at 115 theaters, presented by Falling Forward Films.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
4 May 2025
-
Clematis wilt is a fungal infection that is difficult to treat.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
3 May 2025
Adjective
-
The fiery collision involved a tour bus and a Nissan SUV.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
11 May 2025
-
Her quirky sense of humor and passion for her career align with the zodiac sign Aries, whose fiery spirit can relate.—
Lisa Stardust,
People.com,
11 May 2025
Adjective
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For the next hour or so, several of them will summit various routes along the cliff's steep, jagged face.—
Sean Clancy,
Arkansas Online,
12 May 2025
-
Grok 3: The wind howled through the jagged spires of the Frostfang Reaches, carrying a chill that bit deeper than any blade, and Ser Willem Cray felt its teeth in his bones.—
Kelsey Piper,
Vox,
12 May 2025
Adjective
-
The Trump administration – with Musk and his aides as the tip of the spear – have roiled the federal government with mass layoffs and demands for access to sensitive information at agencies including the Social Security Administration and the National Labor Relations Board.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
3 May 2025
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With uneasiness surrounding reports of electronic searches during border crossings, some travelers have opted to use burner phones—rather than bring their personal phones with them—to protect sensitive information.—
Iona Brannon,
AFAR Media,
2 May 2025
Adjective
-
The group stops, and the cubs make several scratchy, high-pitched sounds.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2025
-
While lots of outdoor rugs are scratchy and rough, this one feels cozy and soft enough to spend time lounging on all summer long.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prickly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prickly. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
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