as in headache
something that is a source of irritation
your constant questions are a thorn in my side
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of thorn
The early part of the season indicated Arizona would indeed be a thorn in the side of the Dodgers and one of the best teams in the NL.
—
Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
But one Democratic strategist said Emanuel’s record — particularly as mayor of Chicago — could be a thorn in his side.
—Amie Parnes, The Hill, 30 May 2025
The law has been a thorn in the side of the Trump administration’s campaign to ramp up deportations, which the president has cast as an effort to rid the country of criminals despite also targeting immigrants with no prior convictions.
—Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025
As Trump’s top second-term legislative priority remained in limbo, the courts once again were a thorn in his side on what to him may be his most important policy objective of all: his big, beautiful tariffs.
—W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for thorn
Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
But one Democratic strategist said Emanuel’s record — particularly as mayor of Chicago — could be a thorn in his side.
—Amie Parnes, The Hill, 30 May 2025
The law has been a thorn in the side of the Trump administration’s campaign to ramp up deportations, which the president has cast as an effort to rid the country of criminals despite also targeting immigrants with no prior convictions.
—Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025
As Trump’s top second-term legislative priority remained in limbo, the courts once again were a thorn in his side on what to him may be his most important policy objective of all: his big, beautiful tariffs.
—W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for thorn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thorn
Noun
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The variant has similar symptoms to other strains, including fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, sore throat, congestion or a runny nose, new loss of taste or smell, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, nausea or vomiting.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
28 June 2025
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These included headaches, hand pain, forearm pain, nerve damage in his left elbow, fatigue, decreased stamina and erectile dysfunction, according to the lawsuit.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
27 June 2025
Noun
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An American Werewolf in London' (1981) American dudes backpacking in England get attacked by a werewolf, one of them becomes a beastly nuisance on the full moon, and things get bloody freaky in old London Town.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
14 June 2025
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In the longer term, the City Council would do well to reconsider enacting a city nuisance ordinance that would punish anyone rioting, looting, obstructing the public way, disrupting traffic, physically assaulting a police officer or even publicly calling for such behavior.—
Paul Vallas,
Chicago Tribune,
11 June 2025
Noun
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At one point, Mendoza recalled seeing the police push the protesters away from her storefront and deploying chemical irritants.—
Chris Boyette,
CNN Money,
14 June 2025
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Earlier demonstrations this week in Austin and Dallas saw brief confrontations between protesters and police, with officers using chemical irritants to disperse crowds and about a dozen individuals arrested.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 June 2025
Noun
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The briefings were initially planned for earlier in the week but were postponed, to the frustration of the delegation.—
Lisa Hagen,
Hartford Courant,
28 June 2025
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After some visible frustration in his post-round presser Thursday, despite posting a 67, Hensby said Friday he’d felt thrown off the previous day by NBC Sports’ TV crew following him.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
27 June 2025
Noun
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During cross-examination, Jane testified that Combs enjoyed foot rubs and episodes of his favorite show Dateline.—
Janelle Griffith,
People.com,
10 June 2025
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As noted above, there is a rub to connecting, enabling and activating networks.—
Barry Libert,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Thorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thorn. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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