as in pokes
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prickles
Verb
-
The brand’s giant green owl mascot dances badly, makes obscure pop culture references and pokes fun at the company’s push notifications.—
Leeron Walter,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025 -
Like his contemporaries, Meyers often pokes fun at the ongoing actions of the president and his administration on Late Night.—
Emlyn Travis Updated,
EW.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
And who the f--- pierces a 12 year old?—
Catherine Santino,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But the barbs are often partisan.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The barbs were frequently aimed at the gruff owner of Mel’s Diner played by the late Vic Tayback.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
After some initial snags—customers receiving duplicate cards, criminals snatching unclaimed ones out of mailboxes—the cards began to turn a profit.—
Michael Waters,
The Atlantic,
9 Sep. 2025
-
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
Verb
-
The first mozzie of the evening stings my arm.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Sep. 2025
-
But this kind of comment often stings.—
Time,
Time,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers that are left outdoors.—
John Tufts,
IndyStar,
29 Aug. 2025
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.
Cite this Entry
“Prickles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prickles. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share