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
Laura Dorwart, Health, 22 Dec. 2025
It is spread to people and pets through the bites and scratches of an infected animal, and first symptoms may include flu, weakness, discomfort, fever, headache, as well as a prickling sensation at the site of the wound, before turning into more severe disease after around two weeks.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 24 Dec. 2025
For the spice-averse crowd, don’t be daunted by the chiles — the hot chocolate’s rich milkiness brings the potential punch down to a gentle prickle on the tongue.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prickle
Verb
People with peripheral neuropathy may experience pins and needles sensations, such as tingling and prickling, in their extremities.
—Laura Dorwart, Health, 22 Dec. 2025
It is spread to people and pets through the bites and scratches of an infected animal, and first symptoms may include flu, weakness, discomfort, fever, headache, as well as a prickling sensation at the site of the wound, before turning into more severe disease after around two weeks.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
Both the plant's stems and leaflets have small barbs and wading through a sea of these prickles is not fun, Drews said.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 24 Dec. 2025
For the spice-averse crowd, don’t be daunted by the chiles — the hot chocolate’s rich milkiness brings the potential punch down to a gentle prickle on the tongue.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prickle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prickle
Verb
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Gabrielle’s unflinching competence and dynamism belie acute sensitivity, and the actress allows hints of child-like hurt and hesitation to pierce the carapace.—
Jon Frosch,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
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Because errors constantly occurred and changes were frequently made to the code, Hamilton sometimes edited the printout by hand by sealing excess holes with clear tape or piercing missing ones in the paper tape with a sharp pencil.—
Manon Bischoff,
Scientific American,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
The other stars in the diamond are second magnitude Denebola (marking the tail of Leo, the Lion), first magnitude Spica (the spike of wheat in the hand of Virgo) and zero-magnitude Arcturus (in Boötes the Herdsman).—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
15 May 2026
-
Import and export prices also were at levels not seen since the last inflation spike, a period that prompted aggressive Fed rate hikes that started with four consecutive moves in three-quarter percentage point increments in 2022.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Aggressive bears are known to stalk, claw and even bite tourists in Great Smoky National Park, but rangers say one recent encounter involved a bear poking a hiker with its big wet nose.—
Mark Price
May 12,
Charlotte Observer,
12 May 2026
-
Many curious passersby poked their heads inside, wondering if the restaurant was serving food again.—
Iris Kwok
May 12,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
The responses via social media, which ranged from sheer laughter to expletive-laden barbs, ultimately showcased just how much damage Patullo did to the psyche of Eagles fans across the country.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
14 May 2026
-
The two have smacked each other around in the weeks since and traded barbs over their places within the company.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
Verb
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Despite Philadelphia winning 45 games this season, despite the Sixers improving dramatically on last season, and despite Philly winning a first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics, the loss to New York will still sting, as Philadelphia heads into the summer.—
Tony Jones,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
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Now owned by the National Gallery in London, the painting, showing Roman god Cupid complaining to his mother Venus about being stung by bees, can be seen in the center of a blurry, black-and-white photograph dating to the 1940s that was published in a 1978 furniture catalog.—
Maximilíano Durón,
ARTnews.com,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
The sentencing itself hit a procedural snag.—
Brian Maass,
CBS News,
9 May 2026
-
The lengthy feud between Asuka and Sky hit yet another snag when Sane, a key figure in the storyline, was suddenly and shockingly released by WWE after WrestleMania 42.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
Crisp lemonade, frozen strawberries, and club soda blend up into a bubbly, effervescent drink that'll tickle your nose and your taste buds.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2026
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Amy Heckerling, in her feature debut, has proven herself to be a truly gifted director, able to tickle the ribs with one hand while the other tugs at the heartstrings.—
Gina Friedlande,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Panini launched its largest sticker collection ever for this World Cup, coinciding with the increase in participating countries from 32 to 48.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 May 2026
-
Across the street, a club takes phones at the door — sticker over the lens, no photos.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prickle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prickle. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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