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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Keep an eye on your tire pressure and fill them to reduce the risk of punctures, blowouts, and reduced handling.—
Brian Sherrod,
CBS News,
2 Dec. 2025
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The exterior is ultra-durable and made with puncture-resistant nylon with a TPU coating that’s also waterproof, and its ergonomic design is shockingly comfortable.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Nov. 2025
Noun
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In the case of Putnam County, that tingle is a roar — our collective sense that the fraud there goes back decades.—
Paul Solotaroff,
Rolling Stone,
9 June 2026
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But an adventure conjoined with a lover, whether breaking studio rules with Tony Curtis or tracking down John Dillinger in the person of Lawrence Tierney, never failed to activate a reckless tingle in me.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 June 2026
Verb
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Caulk holes around plumbing and sewer lines where roaches are likely to enter.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
4 June 2026
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Justin Rose was outside the cut line on Friday until holing a chip from deep rough for eagle on his last hole to make it with one shot to spare.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
Noun
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Infected people will typically experience fever, chills, muscle aches, headaches and fatigue one to two weeks after having been bitten.—
Fiona Bork,
NBC news,
14 Aug. 2025
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This lavender version relieves muscle tension, soothes aches and softens skin while relaxing your mind in fragrant floral steam.—
Jené Luciani Sena , Caitlyn Martyn
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The course itself won’t bore longtime golfers.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
4 Dec. 2025
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And despite its ambling, almost shapeless nature, Who by Fire is never boring, because Lesage and his actors fill every scene with surprise and suspense.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
1 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Songwriters expressing pangs of grief for what once was held court with others fretting about undesirable futures and still others dreaming up cooler tomorrows.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
2 Dec. 2025
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At the same time, many of our neighbors have lost jobs to corporate layoffs, government cutbacks and simple chance, and suddenly feel the pangs of hunger in this land of plenty.—
Cardinal Blase Cupich,
Mercury News,
27 Nov. 2025
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
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The 29-year-old shared that last week, she was diagnosed with endometriosis, a reproductive condition in which uterine tissue grows outside of the uterus, causing cramping and chronic pain.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
11 Dec. 2025
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Primarily spread to humans from mosquitoes, the chikungunya virus can cause a variety of symptoms from fever to joint pain.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prick. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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