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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of prickling
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
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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Justice Benjamin Curtis, from Massachusetts, wrote a stinging dissent and resigned from the Court shortly afterward, reportedly in part because of the decision.—
Equal Justice Initiative,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent oversaw a series of unorthodox steps aimed at stabilizing Argentine assets after the peso had plunged in the wake of Milei’s party suffering a stinging defeat in a key provincial ballot last month.—
Daniel Flatley,
Fortune,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This isn’t Lovato’s first time poking fun at the meme.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
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Or use your finger, poking it about 2 inches into the soil.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Backup quarterback Mac Jones made yet another start for San Francisco as Brock Purdy continued to recover from the nagging turf toe injury that's kept him off the field for seven games in 2025.—
Matt Audilet,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
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My work hours, most notably, but also that little nagging voice in my head that yearns—no, demands—perfection.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Ask piercing questions that shift the way the community thinks as Mercury aligns with Pluto.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
30 Oct. 2025
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During The Real Housewives of Atlanta reunion, Eva turned heads with her glowing makeup, perfectly sculpted cheekbones, and piercing eyes.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
30 Oct. 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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His neck was tingling, his knees barely held him upright.—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
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Other symptoms include numbness, tingling, or burning around the site of injury.—
Jakob Roze,
Health,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Already, Chinese EVs have become top sellers in some emerging market countries and are increasingly penetrating the market in Europe, Britain, and Australia.—
Justin Worland,
Time,
24 Oct. 2025
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Lecter’s main power was his penetrating thinking and sustained intuiting.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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He was followed by an interested female, her behind swollen red.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
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However, when Taylor’s doctor dilated his eyes, the optic nerves, which connect the eyes to the brain, were found to be completely swollen.—
Meredith Wilshere,
PEOPLE,
2 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prickling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prickling. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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