as in stinging
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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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Recent Examples of prickling
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
Discomfort, such as a prickling sensation, at the site of the bite is also possible.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 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
Verb
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
Discomfort, such as a prickling sensation, at the site of the bite is also possible.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 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
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Those, and other comments, had surprised some onlookers, and led to author Arundhati Roy cancelling her visit to the festival and penning a stinging rebuke.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
14 Feb. 2026
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After a stinging loss at Wichita State over the weekend, Memphis basketball coach Penny Hardaway is still figuring out why the Tigers aren't playing their best.—
Corinne S Kennedy,
Memphis Commercial Appeal,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Telltale Signs of Rotary Motion The re-examination revealed unmistakable evidence that this was no simple awl meant for poking holes.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
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Garlic is a kitchen staple for many, but spotting a green sprout poking out of a clove can raise questions about food safety.—
Caitlin Beale,
Health,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Her parents, once her safe harbor, are now shaped by mistrust, and Trine wrestles with guilt and a nagging doubt about her own sanity.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
17 Feb. 2026
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There are niggling, nagging, familiar concerns, like not taking chances, like being hit on the counter, but our section erupts when Willock scores and then erupts again when his goal is ruled out.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Create Pools of Light Harsh, piercing lights tend to feel more sterile than serene.—
Shagun Khare,
The Spruce,
15 Feb. 2026
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The agency points to the conduct of some protesters, who follow officers with their cars, block them in the street, curse at their faces, blow ear-piercing whistles and clamor outside their hotels at night.—
Natasha Korecki,
NBC news,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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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
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These injuries resulted in 684 days lost per 1,000 training hours during menstruation, compared to 206 days lost during non-bleeding days.—
Ciara Lucas,
SELF,
16 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Please tell me the sequel could answer the most burning question of the ’00s: How could Austin not recognize Sam in that mask?—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
13 Aug. 2025
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Cooper, 30, asked Hargitay one more burning question about the actors' on-screen alter egos: will Olivia and Elliot ever end up together?—
Victoria Edel,
People.com,
26 June 2025
Verb
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While both syndromes cause numbness and tingling, only thoracic outlet syndrome causes the hands to become cold due to a lack of circulation.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2026
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Michael Lynch, 62, went to New York-Presbyterian Hospital Brooklyn Methodist in Park Slope earlier this month with his wife, hoping to diagnose pressure in his head and tingling in his hands, his spouse told the Daily News.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, Envision, also due for a 2031 launch, will carry an orbital ground-penetrating radar to provide a complete view of Venus from its inner core to its upper atmosphere.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
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Primarily, there are beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) courtesy of lipo hydroxy acid (LHA), a deep-penetrating chemical exfoliant that gently sloughs off old, dead cells to reveal brighter, fresher skin.—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prickling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prickling. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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