PRICKLING Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

prickling 1 of 2

adjective

as in stinging

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Dissimilar Words

prickling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of prickle

as in poking

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

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 prickling

Verb

Initial symptoms of rabies include flu-like illness including weakness or discomfort, fever, or headache, and discomfort, prickling, or an itching sensation at the site of the bite. — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 3 Aug. 2026 As Luke walks off, his shirt undone and his furry belly prickling in the desert cold, Danny turns and stares out into the backyard. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026 Retatrutide has shown similar side effects, as well as a prickling sensation known as dysesthesia. — Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026 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 Whitefish salad prickling with chile and festooned with great tufts of cilantro. — Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prickling

Adjective

Mungiu craftily plants the seed of this crisis in his opening shot, set in the aftermath of a stinging act of parental discipline.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 8 Oct. 2026
At an early New York screening, Douglas recalls Wall Street traders being stunned by the film’s stinging accuracy.

— Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of stinging

Verb

My physical study, on the floor, poking at what was there in the open field of the air, led to newfound levels of learning to process, in poems on the page, where my initial feelings of hunger came from.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026
In a recent interview with OutKick Dropkick, Hefner was already poking the bear in hopes of getting eyes on his event.

— Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of poking

Adjective

Ohtani has been dealing with nagging injuries to his left knee and right biceps and didn't pitch after the All-Star break.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026
But a nagging calf injury sidelined him throughout training camp, the preseason and the start of the regular season.

— Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of nagging

Verb

No wonder some of the film’s most piercing moments are on the periphery.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
But there’s no icy chill to his vision, only the glib confidence that a feel-good montage or a piercing Anohni and the Johnsons ballad will blind us to his film’s lack of human connection.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of piercing

Adjective

Dickerson was the first physician to treat Mike Studeny, who was diagnosed with a non-bleeding stroke.

— Christa Swanson, CBS News, 9 May 2026
In tests using mice, after surgical damage to the liver, AGCL was able to perform significantly better than other current anti-bleeding agents, with normal liver function returning just two weeks after its application.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 21 Jan. 2026

Definition of bleeding

Verb

Known as oral allergy syndrome, this cross-reaction can cause symptoms such as itching or tingling in the mouth.

— Lauren Finney Harden, AJC.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Applegate has previously described living with symptoms including numbness, an off-balance feeling, and a tingling sensation in the limbs.

— Kerry Breen, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of tingling

Adjective

Prosecutors said some of the money was used for recruiting new members and purchasing Ku Klux Klan robes and materials for cross-burning ceremonies.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 July 2026
In the case of the cross-burning incident, there is no comparison to the Jussie Smollett case.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026

Definition of burning

Verb

Radar love Each low-flying helicopter is outfitted with a ground penetrating radar (GPR) instrument, one that can detect layering in the near surface, at depths unobservable by orbital radar.

— Leonard David, Space.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Lyubka’s compelling storytelling technique is detailed, lyrical, at times, humorous, and therefore deeply penetrating.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of penetrating

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Style

“Prickling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prickling. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of prickling

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

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