1
as in puncture
a mark or small hole made by a pointed instrument
the immunization shot left a prick on my arm that turned into a bruise
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in tingle
a sharp unpleasant sensation usually felt in some specific part of the body
she felt a sharp prick when the nurse gave her the shot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of prick
Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 4 Dec. 2025
She was connected to an IV with insulin, her fingers repeatedly pricked to test blood glucose.
—Jan Goldsmith, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Oct. 2025
The curious cats will keep their eyes wide open and ears pricked forward.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Oct. 2025
Citing the French Interior Ministry, Le Monde reported that 145 people across France reported being pricked.
—Liam Quinn, People.com, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for prick
Verb
Beyond the myriad complications that come with diabetes, patients have to additionally put up with regular blood sugar testing – which involves either multiple pin pricks a day to draw blood or wearing a continuous glucose monitor patch that needs to be replaced every couple of weeks.
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 4 Dec. 2025
She was connected to an IV with insulin, her fingers repeatedly pricked to test blood glucose.
—Jan Goldsmith, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Oct. 2025
The curious cats will keep their eyes wide open and ears pricked forward.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Oct. 2025
Citing the French Interior Ministry, Le Monde reported that 145 people across France reported being pricked.
—Liam Quinn, People.com, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for prick
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prick
Noun
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Attenborough communicated with the tribe using gestures, looked at their personal ornaments and enquired about the pegs in the ritual punctures in the nose of one of the men.—
Amarachi Orie,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
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In the case of a puncture, the rider will be warned immediately, which prevents further damage to the wheel and improves safety.—
Maryna Holovnova,
New Atlas,
8 May 2026
Noun
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That process helps encourage gentle cell turnover without irritation, while both pomegranate and pear ferments bring a soft, enzyme-like exfoliation to the mix, giving you that smoother, glowier look—just without the tingle.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
22 Apr. 2026
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O’Neal wrote about delinquents – characters whose exploits, their power, induced a creeping tingle on the back of your neck.—
Courtney Crowder,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Space the planting holes 18 to 24 inches apart and space rows 3 to 6 feet apart.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 May 2026
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The flight attendants then attempted to solve the problem by shoving napkins inside the ceiling holes.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
2 May 2026
Noun
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Other early-onset symptoms may include fever, chills, muscle aches, headaches, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhea, according to the Mayo Clinic.—
Allison Kiehl,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
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After throwing through discomfort last season — the aches in Rodón’s elbow actually dated back years — his arm is now in a much more comfortable place.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
9 May 2026
Verb
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Instead of the standard, boring rectangular fins found in the home PC, the algorithm generated complex, jagged, and pointed copper structures optimized for both heat absorption and fluid flow.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
8 May 2026
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Getting bored with rewearing the same pair of jeans over and over again?—
Sydney Pulaski,
Glamour,
8 May 2026
Noun
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At a recent sleepover, my 15-year-old son and his 14-year-old friend Charlie, driven by a pang of nostalgia, chose to watch the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics on YouTube.—
Luba Kassova,
Fortune,
1 Apr. 2026
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What Brooks proffers is not the philosophy these queries require but a kind of pharmacology—a pill designed to alleviate every last pang.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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As Luke walks off, his shirt undone and his furry belly prickling in the desert cold, Danny turns and stares out into the backyard.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
16 Apr. 2026
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Retatrutide has shown similar side effects, as well as a prickling sensation known as dysesthesia.—
Meg Tirrell,
CNN Money,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Other early-onset symptoms may include fever, chills, muscle aches, headaches, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhea, according to the Mayo Clinic.—
Allison Kiehl,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
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Josh Hart entered Friday’s game with a new thumb sprain then tweaked his ankle in the second half before playing through pain.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prick. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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