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

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

The researchers' device aims to solve the stinging problem by physically preventing this meeting (unfortunately no images of it are available at this time).

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 June 2026
Since September of 2024, federal science agencies in the US have axed nearly 120,000 employees, in a stinging loss for public research.

— Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 25 June 2026

Definition of stinging

Adjective

In anticipation of the birth of his son, Ferguson had kicked a nagging heroin habit, trading his addiction to drugs for an infatuation with activism.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026
Third line James Hagens-Elias Lindholm-Marat Khusnutdinov If Lindholm, a veteran centerman beset by a nagging back injury, finds consistently good health, then that may change things.

— Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 7 July 2026

Definition of nagging

Verb

Granite cliffs piercing the sea and the sky are Acadia National Park’s most recognizable feature.

— Josh Laskin, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2026
Her flat, piercing groundstrokes and booming serve are perfect for grass, and defending champion Świątek will need to calm down her serving roller coaster to stay in touch.

— Ava Wallace, New York Times, 1 July 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

According to the report, the boy first developed progressive facial numbness and tingling on the right side of his face, followed by loss of appetite, painful swallowing and vomiting.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Some report numbness or tingling in their hand and feet, or balance problems.

— Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 23 June 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

Companies also are trying to get Alzheimer’s drugs into the brain faster and at higher volumes, by penetrating the protective lining meant to protect the brain from harm.

— Lauran Neergaard, Fortune, 14 July 2026
Companies also are trying to get Alzheimer’s drugs into the brain faster and at higher volumes by penetrating the protective lining meant to shield the brain from harm.

— Lauran Neergaard, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026

Definition of penetrating

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“Prickling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prickling. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of prickling

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

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