as in to pierce
to cause or experience an unpleasant feeling that is like the feeling of having many small, sharp points against your skin
The burrs were prickling my arm. The wool sweater prickled my skin.
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Recent Examples of prickle
Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 29 Mar. 2024
Paul Leonard-Morgan’s score is haunting and foreboding, making the hairs on the back of our neck prickle.
—Courtney Howard, Variety, 16 Mar. 2023
Tom Gliatto, People.com, 26 Mar. 2025
There also may be discomfort, prickling, or an itching sensation at the site of the bite.
—CBS News, 4 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for prickle
Verb
The guitar riff prickles nervously; the melody pleads in the manner of a hungry pet; Parton sings, in a trembling tone, about the woman who could and very well might take her man.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 29 Mar. 2024
Paul Leonard-Morgan’s score is haunting and foreboding, making the hairs on the back of our neck prickle.
—Courtney Howard, Variety, 16 Mar. 2023
Noun
This endless, headlong energy can produce a caffeinated buzz that rises to the brain on little prickling bubbles of enjoyment.
—Tom Gliatto, People.com, 26 Mar. 2025
There also may be discomfort, prickling, or an itching sensation at the site of the bite.
—CBS News, 4 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for prickle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prickle
Verb
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The fatal knife wound pierced Martin's sternum before going into his heart.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Hospitals overflowing with patients ripped by shrapnel and pierced by bullets.—
Brendan Rascius,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Research indicates that younger consumers, for example, experienced significantly higher inflation than older adults during 2021 during the most recent spike in inflation, according to Jeff Horwich, senior economics writer for the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
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Buffalo, known for end-of-half blunders in past years, scored a field goal as the first half expired after moving the ball 48 yards in three plays (including a spike).—
Mike Sando,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Stars not just in front of, but within the dusty nebula, poke through all but the densest gas.—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
8 Sep. 2025
-
In July 2024, Thompson's daughter Gaia shared a cheeky post on her Instagram Stories poking fun at 2023's Barbie movie's tagline — and Thompson's ex, Kenneth Branagh.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In more recent years, fleeting trends and other fashion antics sometimes sidetracked Armani, especially on the runway, where aviator hats or tricky pants — from bloomers to loose, low-crotch styles — won him barbs from critics.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
4 Sep. 2025
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Joanna Lumley’s Grandmama Hester Frump also plays an important role in the second half of Season 2, as Dort continues to court her for Nevermore donations and the three generations of Addams Family women exchange barbs.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This interaction damages skin cells and can trigger irritation, redness, stinging or burning.—
Leslie Baumann,
Miami Herald,
4 Sep. 2025
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Sherry recalls one instance that stung in particular, when a friend pointed out his hair loss at a social gathering.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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For the evening, the top priority remains the east flank of the fire, reinforcing fire lines made during previous shifts and preparing for potential strategic firing operations by removing snags.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
6 Sep. 2025
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Prescott and the Cowboys’ offense took full advantage on their opening drive, using the run game to open up the play-action game, which culminated in star receiver CeeDee Lamb’s first catch, a 32-yard snag.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As casting choices go, here is an extreme case where there are no limits on who can play what, sure to tickle some and tick off others on both sides of the aisle.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
5 Sep. 2025
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And he probably would have been tickled by the fact that the same person also invented the inkjet printer.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
If parents want to do something special, Russell recommends quickly using a cookie cutter on a sandwich or adding a sticker alongside the snacks.—
Kate Sequeira,
Boston Herald,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Here is how to properly read a car window sticker.—
Betty Lin-Fisher,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prickle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prickle. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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