1
2
as in irritable
easily irritated or annoyed
she dreaded having to deal with her prickly boss
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
4
as in difficult
requiring exceptional skill or caution in performance or handling
a prickly issue that will outrage at least one special interest if not handled delicately
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of prickly
The Federal Trade Commission under Lina Khan was notoriously prickly with respect to tech deals, aggressively scuttling transactions in ways that frustrated even notable Democrat supporters like Reid Hoffman and Mark Cuban.
—
Ari Levy,jennifer Elias, CNBC, 18 Mar. 2025
And Important Most prickly people feel as if they aren't being heard.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2025
The designer teased that there will be sultry, body-hugging looks with prickly prints and comfy, padded pieces.
—Tianwei Zhang, WWD, 25 Mar. 2025
Zegler brings a fresh, prickly energy to the timeless character.
—Staff Author, EW.com, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prickly
Ari Levy,jennifer Elias, CNBC, 18 Mar. 2025
And Important Most prickly people feel as if they aren't being heard.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2025
The designer teased that there will be sultry, body-hugging looks with prickly prints and comfy, padded pieces.
—Tianwei Zhang, WWD, 25 Mar. 2025
Zegler brings a fresh, prickly energy to the timeless character.
—Staff Author, EW.com, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prickly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prickly
Adjective
-
In place of intense (and potentially irritating) acids, Mediheal's Madecassoside Blemish Pads target breakouts and breakout-causing bacteria with anti-inflammatory powerhouses madecassoside and cica.—
Sarah Han,
Allure,
25 Apr. 2025
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As the protagonist/antihero, audiences meet everyone through his eyes (and imperious narration) — and in his view, most people are shallow and irritating, especially the residents of Madre Linda.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
It is believed to reduce pain and inflammation, and has been used for treatment of back pain, high blood pressure, arthritis, migraines, and irritable bowel disease.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
4 Apr. 2025
-
And even in what was a stilted match played in an increasingly irritable atmosphere, Rogers and Tielemans delivered with an assist each.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Join Our Other Game Discussions Want to be part of the conversation about New York Times Games, or maybe get some help with a particularly thorny puzzle?—
Sam Corbin,
New York Times,
22 Apr. 2025
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Despite a recent pause on some tariffs, Apple remains in a particularly thorny spot as Donald Trump's trade war spikes costs in the tech company's iPhone manufacturing hub, China.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The Whitecaps won games in Mexico, which is difficult to do.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2025
-
The task for Denver tonight will be that much more difficult if Michael Porter Jr. (shoulder) is unavailable or limited.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Trippie Redd, one of the genre’s most prominent voices, took to social media on Monday (April 28) to issue a fiery response.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
29 Apr. 2025
-
Not many people celebrate their birthday by burning a fiery arc through the atmosphere, pulling 4.4gs in freefall back to planet Earth, thudding into the ground, and emptying their stomach on the steppes of Kazakhstan.—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The brown resurrection fern that grew thick along the jagged edges of the hollow was changing to a bright green right before her eyes.—
Lizz Schumer,
People.com,
1 May 2025
-
The jagged edges matched the pointed toes of her metallic silver stilettos.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Companies frequently suffer data breaches, leaking large amounts of sensitive information.—
Vytautas Kaziukonis,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
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For those with sensitive skin, this formula is fragrance-, paraben-, and dye-free.—
Macaela MacKenzie,
Glamour,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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This is often due to postnasal drip, which is when mucus from the nose and sinuses drains down the back of the throat, causing irritation and a scratchy feeling.—
Tribune Content Agency,
Mercury News,
3 Apr. 2025
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It’s made from a soft alpaca wool blend, which adds tons of warmth without feeling hot or scratchy.—
Anne Taylor,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prickly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prickly. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
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