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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
-
Note that good quality options are made of polyvinyl chloride, nylon or polyester fabric that resists tears and punctures.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
19 June 2026
-
Police arrested Frank and found his wife, Deborah Glaser, in the tub with multiple puncture wounds on her chest.—
Laura Fay,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
The original West Hollywood restaurant is known for its unassuming locale holed away in a strip mall—a stark juxtaposition with its A-list clientele like Kendall Jenner and Taylor Swift (and meals that can cost nearly $400).—
Lane Nieset,
Travel + Leisure,
10 June 2026
-
Caulk holes around plumbing and sewer lines where roaches are likely to enter.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
The loss of Joseph Ossai might sting a little, but the potential production from Maye and Lawrence should dull the ache.—
Gladys Louise Tyler,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
-
Mpox, a viral illness formerly known as monkeypox, generally starts with flu-like symptoms – fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, headaches and backaches.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
For the avid gardener in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington, DC, stepping out the front door in the summer meant being assaulted by hordes of those flying hypodermic needles, ready to bore into her skin and leave itchy welts – and sometimes serious infections like malaria or Zika – behind.—
Brenda Goodman,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
-
And ultimately, the premise of the show is insane horror tropes are happening to boring, normal people.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
Down to the volatile sound design and pangs of romantic yearning, to say nothing of the first-person cinematography lensed by Dhont regular Frank van den Eeden, this movie follows Pierre’s every move from the inside out.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
12 May 2026
-
Help keep your hunger pangs at bay while on a road trip or at the office with this multi-pack of trail mixes.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Retatrutide has shown similar side effects, as well as a prickling sensation known as dysesthesia.—
Meg Tirrell,
CNN Money,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
His journey to becoming CEO of Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge involves a buildup of pain and addiction.—
Adam Duxter,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
-
About two decades ago, Turner said, the healthcare industry started acknowledging the limits and risks of prescribing opioids for chronic pain.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prick. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
