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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Example Sentences
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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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The close-up picture, which showcased Meeks' piercing blue eyes, endeared him to many despite his criminal past.—
Nicole Briese,
PEOPLE,
18 June 2026
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Players like Charlie Sifford (first Black player to earn a PGA Tour card), Lee Elder (first Black player in the Masters) and Calvin Peete (12 wins on the PGA Tour) are on the short list of African-Americans who pierced golf's racial barrier.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 June 2026
Noun
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But cases involving diphenhydramine alone increased more rapidly, from 10,068 to 13,284 cases, a 32% spike.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
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Right now, Ford said, there’s no explanation that would be completely satisfying for the spike in tornadoes in Illinois.—
Adriana Pérez,
Chicago Tribune,
19 June 2026
Verb
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Perched on a finger of land that pokes into Lebanon, Metula is usually crowded with tourists this time of year.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
23 June 2026
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The second is a vent which pokes out above your clothes, to move warm air away from you.—
David Phelan,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
Noun
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Young, who was traded to the Washington Wizards in January, is no stranger to trading barbs on social media with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.—
Chantz Martin OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
17 June 2026
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Always check the rules in conservation trout water and be prepared to mash barbs or swap your treble hooks with single hooks to stay compliant.—
Joe Cermele,
Outdoor Life,
17 June 2026
Verb
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Nothing stings quite like being steps from getting your credit card out to make a glorious purchase, and finding that your promo code isn’t working.—
Hannah Chubb,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 June 2026
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Ants, mosquitoes, ticks, termites, stinging insects, and house flies are the most common and costly summer pests.—
Sharon Wu,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
Noun
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Ionic technology helps regulate heat and flatten thick hair types while eliminating frizz, and the ceramic plates deliver a shiny, snag-free finish that's especially useful for thick hair prone to tangles.—
Alanna Martine Kilkeary,
Glamour,
18 June 2026
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Despite overall improvements across the district in both the high school EOC STAAR test and the 3-8 exams, Licata announced last week that more than a dozen schools experienced notable snags that would qualify them for the Elevate network.—
Samuel O’Neal and,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 June 2026
Verb
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There are also a few other flavors that might tickle your fancy.—
Joe Kinsey OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
30 May 2026
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The woozy, choppily edited party sequence, featuring lots of handheld, cellphone-style footage and glassy slow-motion interludes, clearly illustrates the camaraderie and profound affection between the five main characters, who tease and tickle one another like sportive, overgrown puppies.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 2026
Noun
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This could be anything from a sticker or patch to a ribbon—or something that does double duty, such as these brightly colored neoprene handle wraps.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Travel + Leisure,
18 June 2026
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Reposting the photo on her Instagram Stories, Lancaster added a love heart sticker.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prickle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prickle. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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