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
Presented between columns equipped with needle-like installations, the designer showed sultry, body-hugging looks with prickly prints and comfy, padded pieces.
—
Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 1 Apr. 2025
Green lumps of prickly shrubs, called Eureka dunegrass, sprout up from the sand.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 15 Jan. 2025
The book’s art director, Rita Marshall, had long admired Mr. Holland’s work, but she was put off by his famously prickly persona.
—Penelope Green, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Comments The handsome, prickly, and soulful Val Kilmer died from pneumonia on Tuesday after an 11-year struggle with throat cancer.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prickly
Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 1 Apr. 2025
Green lumps of prickly shrubs, called Eureka dunegrass, sprout up from the sand.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 15 Jan. 2025
The book’s art director, Rita Marshall, had long admired Mr. Holland’s work, but she was put off by his famously prickly persona.
—Penelope Green, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Comments The handsome, prickly, and soulful Val Kilmer died from pneumonia on Tuesday after an 11-year struggle with throat cancer.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prickly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prickly
Adjective
-
There’s never been a more irritating trio of possible playoff opponents than Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler and Dan Hayes.—
Aaron Gleeman,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
-
Waking up to a bird squawking in the middle of the night– well that’s just irritating.—
Ella Gonzales,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 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
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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?—
Deb Amlen,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Leather should not be used for potting plants in wet soil, while rubber gloves shouldn't be used for trimming a thorny rose bush.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Rust, a difficult movie to release, grossed $25k at 115 theaters, presented by Falling Forward Films.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
4 May 2025
-
The goal demonstrated why: his running power from midfield is difficult to contend with.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
Adjective
-
The fiery collision involved a tour bus and a Nissan SUV.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
11 May 2025
-
Her quirky sense of humor and passion for her career align with the zodiac sign Aries, whose fiery spirit can relate.—
Lisa Stardust,
People.com,
11 May 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
-
The Trump administration – with Musk and his aides as the tip of the spear – have roiled the federal government with mass layoffs and demands for access to sensitive information at agencies including the Social Security Administration and the National Labor Relations Board.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
3 May 2025
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Let the paste sit for 30 minutes. Rinse away thoroughly and repeat if necessary. Method 4: For Acrylic Tubs Acrylic tubs require specific cleaners because of how sensitive the material is.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
2 May 2025
Adjective
-
The group stops, and the cubs make several scratchy, high-pitched sounds.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2025
-
While lots of outdoor rugs are scratchy and rough, this one feels cozy and soft enough to spend time lounging on all summer long.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prickly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prickly. Accessed 15 May. 2025.
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