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.
Related Words
Relevance
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 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
Nick Miller, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
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
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
Nottingham Forest’s more nervous fans might be feeling a familiar prickling sensation in the back of their minds.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for prickle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prickle
Verb
-
In April, Kismet by Milka opened a London flagship at 110 New Bond Street, which spans 1,500 square feet across two floors with two piercing studios.—
Hikmat Mohammed,
Footwear News,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Touches five and six are merely the cajoling preamble to the pièce de résistance, aka touch seven, a piercing through ball which splits defender Goncalo Inacio and backtracking forward Geny Catamo like a warm bread knife through a ciabatta roll straight out of Mama’s oven.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Air freight rates tend to see a brief spike ahead of the holiday as goods are rushed out of China and take up more capacity.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
29 Sep. 2025
-
The buyout comes at a time when interest in the gaming industry has never been higher, but growth has stalled following a giant spike during the COVID-19 pandemic.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
That meant Hufanga spent a good chunk of the offseason not just learning a new system, but getting poked and prodded by his new coaches and running mate Jones.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
30 Sep. 2025
-
The star compares calling out the sketch, which poked fun at her accent and teeth, to confronting a bully.—
Jessica Wang,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
No barbs being thrown back and forth.—
Dane Mizutani,
Twin Cities,
19 Sep. 2025
-
When asked why an unsigned FBI and DOJ memo concluding there was no need to make further disclosures on the Epstein matter did include his signature, Patel got in a barb at former President Biden.—
Rebecca Beitsch,
The Hill,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Still, losing out on more seasons of Zoë Kravitz playing a lovably bisexual mess navigating New York City particularly stings.—
Abby Monteil,
Them.,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Andreas Helmersen hit the bar while Patrick Berg’s stinging effort was saved by Guglielmo Vicario.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
However, there remain several potential snags.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
-
This isn't the first time the snag of a home run ball has topped headlines this season.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
She, too, is tickled by her own sense of perfectionism, and those glimpses of vulnerability were a form of self-control all along.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Fans were tickled at the thought of Vandross saying no with a huge grin on his face— which would be very fitting.—
Mya Abraham,
VIBE.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The venture has nabbed multiple Oscar nominations and eight Emmy Awards, launched many of the buzziest, yellow-sticker-donning bestsellers, and brought numerous stories about the female experience to the forefront of popular culture.—
Emily St. Martin,
Oc Register,
24 Sep. 2025
-
The sticker originates from a Williams fan, who got her question answered by the drivers in a video on Instagram.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prickle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prickle. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share