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
Peter Rowe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
One tower looks like a concrete satellite, another like a Dyson fan, and the tallest is prickled with reflective lights, like the ones that keep airplanes off oil rigs.
—Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 30 May 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for prickle
Verb
Jakobus speaks in an Old World dialect, Pilsner, delivering brisk herbal aromas, hints of fresh levain bread and a prickling hop bitterness.
—Peter Rowe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
One tower looks like a concrete satellite, another like a Dyson fan, and the tallest is prickled with reflective lights, like the ones that keep airplanes off oil rigs.
—Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 30 May 2025
Noun
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
See All Example Sentences for prickle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prickle
Verb
-
Produced before the gag order was lifted, the four-part docuseries One Night in Idaho turns its focus to the families, friends and community members still wrestling with the aftermath, offering a piercing look at a case with many unanswered questions.—
James Mercadante,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The grotesque details—the uncle’s fingernails piercing his hands, the dog’s permanent terror of rabbits—are simply there.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
This spring, following a series of equipment failures at Newark Liberty International Airport's control facility, some air traffic control operators took time off to recover from the stress, leading to a spike in delays and cancelations at that airport.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Aluminum’s years of plentiful supply are set to end, which analysts are forecasting will lead to a spike in prices, Reuters columnist Andy Home wrote last month.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Vogue's Anna Wintour playfully poked fun at Rocky's daughter being his namesake in her introduction to the rapper, 37.—
Anika Reed,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Sad and Beautiful World finds Mavis, 86, exploring, rediscovering, and poking holes at her lifetime of righteous optimism.—
Jonathan Bernstein,
Rolling Stone,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
This summer, Wyoming’s Game and Fish Commission passed regulations that designated some sections fly-only and required anglers to pinch their barbs.—
Christine Peterson,
Outdoor Life,
30 Oct. 2025
-
That Hedda has forged such a life for herself is a testament to her wiles — no one is more adept at delivering acidic barbs cloaked by a friendly hand on the shoulder.—
Abby Monteil,
Them.,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
While basic first aid can often ease the pain of a bee sting, according to the Mayo Clinic, those who are stung more than a dozen times can experience a more severe reaction, which includes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever and lightheadedness.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Considering that one cocktail could cost one hour of some employees’ wages, the removal of that free drink benefit stung even more, Quimby and Reber told Deadline.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Below, snag must-have savings before the sale ends on October 29.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
-
The Miami Hurricanes hit their first snag of the season with their upset loss to the Louisville Cardinals on Friday.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The scoring was welcome, certainly, on a team that didn’t tickle the net until nearly eight minutes into it.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Oct. 2025
-
But in his extended scene with Leto’s Ares, the two cool dudes groove on each other’s mystique, leaving Flynn tickled to witness his prediction of an AI-human interface coming to pass.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Davison asked his son to find any kind of tape, including the dinosaur sticker.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
-
And when there's a sale sticker involved?—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prickle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prickle. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share