1
2
as in irritable
easily irritated or annoyed
she dreaded having to deal with her prickly boss
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of prickly
Finally, Trump’s own views on NATO – often a prickly subject for the famously transactional president – saw a reversal.
—
Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 25 June 2025
His focus is Pinot Noirs and Riesling, which speaks volumes about his precision - those are two of the wine world’s most prestigious and prickliest grapes.
—Kate Dingwall, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Dickinson gives us nonjudgmental access to the day-to-day existence of one among any number of unhoused addicts, while Dillane presents Mike with all the prickly edges of a societal reject.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2025
And my body is stinging as prickly flares of embarrassment radiate from my ribs.
—A'lelia Bundles
june 11, Literary Hub, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for prickly
Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 25 June 2025
His focus is Pinot Noirs and Riesling, which speaks volumes about his precision - those are two of the wine world’s most prestigious and prickliest grapes.
—Kate Dingwall, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Dickinson gives us nonjudgmental access to the day-to-day existence of one among any number of unhoused addicts, while Dillane presents Mike with all the prickly edges of a societal reject.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2025
And my body is stinging as prickly flares of embarrassment radiate from my ribs.
—A'lelia Bundles
june 11, Literary Hub, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for prickly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prickly
Adjective
-
If certain emulsifiers are especially gentle on the gut, the food industry could use them to replace the ones that might be more irritating.—
Yasmin Tayag,
The Atlantic,
25 June 2025
-
But, there are also some unnecessary (potentially irritating) extras—eucalyptus oil, parfum, and benzyl alcohol.—
Boutayna Chokrane,
Wired News,
24 June 2025
Adjective
-
Determined to make a clean SPF, Brown says a chemical formula was out of the question (chemical sunscreens are often thought to be unsafe for the coral reef and irritable to sensitive skin types).—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
9 July 2025
-
In my own experience, poor sleep has frequently been the reason behind feeling tired and irritable.—
Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt,
CNN Money,
8 July 2025
Adjective
-
However, women's health tech and privacy is a thorny issue.—
Emily Forlini,
PC Magazine,
11 July 2025
-
That said, the negative reputation surrounding the last lines in Jones’ thorny adaptation — a punch-up from Ellison’s original text that’s meaner and more sexist, no doubt — seems outsized.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
James is playing the final year of his contract at $52.6 million, which is a very difficult number for teams to pay.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 July 2025
-
Our models and expertise can sniff out the broad parameters, but the precise location and timing of moisture plumes, training (quasi-stationary rain cells), and forcing mechanism can be difficult.—
Marshall Shepherd,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2025
Adjective
-
Turn four, in particular, put on a display of fiery orange and red, visible to the naked eye.—
Kristin Shaw,
ArsTechnica,
10 July 2025
-
Turner, a fiery redhead and one of the heroes for the Los Angeles Dodgers during their 2020 title run, promptly ripped a pitch into the left-field seats, spoiling the shutout.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
In a profession that lives at the jagged edge of justice and humanity, showing up matters.—
Sonia Singh,
Rolling Stone,
10 July 2025
-
The end of the branch shows a smooth cut, but the bark layer has a jagged appearance.—
Tim Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
5 July 2025
Adjective
-
The thundering crackles and sharp bangs of pyrotechnics can not only frighten dogs but also cause discomfort to their sensitive ears.—
Logan Holland,
People.com,
4 July 2025
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This usually involves receiving a fake text, email or even a phone call designed to trick you into clicking a malicious link or sharing sensitive information.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
4 July 2025
Adjective
-
For every high-quality pair, there’s a dozen more with flimsy fasteners, scratchy fabric, and a poor fit.—
Sara Coughlin,
SELF,
2 July 2025
-
Say goodbye to the scratchy feel and five o’clock shadow.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prickly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prickly. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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