prickly

adjective

ˈpri-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce prickly (audio)
Definition of pricklynext
1
as in irritating
causing an unpleasant tingling sensation she tried to ignore the feel of the prickly grass against her skin

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in irritable
easily irritated or annoyed she dreaded having to deal with her prickly boss

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in thorny
having leaves or branches which are likely to cause a scratch waded carefully through the prickly bushes

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 prickly New York City sanitation workers say their job has been pricklier than usual after the Department of Sanitation reported an increase in needle stick injuries. — Noelle Lilley, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026 Santa Cruz teen lifeguard Ryder Williams got a close-up view of the president’s prickly relationship with the press during a White House visit Monday. — Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026 The California Native Plant Society says the prickly bunchgrass’ stalks grow up to 3 feet. — Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 18 Aug. 2026 The spiny, prickly leaves of Oregon grape holly start bronze-red in the spring, then turn green and become purple-red in the winter. — Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prickly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prickly
  1. irritating
  2. irritable
  3. thorny
  4. difficult
  5. fiery
  6. jagged
  7. sensitive
  8. scratchy
Adjective
  • Despite its splashy unveiling, Project Zenith is more about making the OS less irritating for developers than adding any groundbreaking capabilities.
    — Chris Hoffman, PC Magazine, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Another slightly irritating quirk is that the top only stays open for 9 seconds.
    — Abbey Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of irritating
Adjective
  • As the fascination with Ernetti grows into something unhealthy, Béatrice subtly grows more tired, more distracted, more irritable and desperate for answers, small changes Sellier conveys with a smart sense of restraint.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The product immediately calmed down my irritable, rosacea-prone skin while delivering intense hydration that lasted all day.
    — Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of irritable
Adjective
  • Singapore pays its political leaders high salaries to attract talent and deter graft, but the issue is thorny in the city-state, where the median wage worker made S$5,775 ($736) a month in 2025.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 9 Sep. 2026
  • But there’s a question running through the film that’s a lot thornier than unlikely friendships and learning to look at the world through another’s eyes.
    — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of thorny
Adjective
  • Being undefeated after a trio of difficult opening matches can only be seen as a positive, even if Newcastle’s obvious shortcomings require addressing if that run is to be prolonged.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Engineers need flight data on propulsion, aerodynamics, thermal management, guidance and other subsystems under conditions that are difficult to reproduce on the ground.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of difficult
Adjective
  • The Arkansas native is not prone to fiery speeches or outbursts.
    — Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Continue reading … HARD LEFT PIVOT — Newsom says Electoral College has 'perverted' US politics in fiery interview.
    — , FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of fiery
Adjective
  • In a nuclear reactor or radiation shield, neutrons and photons travel across jagged edges, dense metals, fluids, and empty voids.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026
  • One armrest broke, and his fist hit jagged plastic, fracturing his left hand.
    — Christopher Osher, ProPublica, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of jagged
Adjective
  • Tehran has no intention of backing down in the face of an American naval blockade and attacks on its oil tankers, said the official, who asked not to be identified discussing sensitive matters.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Meanwhile, the timing of the September meeting is politically sensitive, arriving just ahead of the US midterms.
    — , CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of sensitive
Adjective
  • The third round was old-style Gauff, scratchy and inconsistent and grinding her way to victory with her legs, over Cristina Buçsa.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • From removing stubborn stains to softening scratchy towels, vinegar consistently tackles the problems that detergents and fabric softeners sometimes leave behind.
    — Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of scratchy

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Cite this Entry

“Prickly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prickly. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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