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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of prickly
So start scrolling to discover the products our touchiest of testers trust with their prickly complexions.
—
Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
When the sun sets in the Pacific Northwest, indigo skies push up against a treeline of prickly Douglas firs and spacious hemlocks.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 16 Sep. 2025
The Dungeon Master side is a bit more prickly as there’s a combat tracker to write on and a small rules booklet to manage.
—Rob Wieland, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Much of its body is covered in prickly sensory hair-like structures called setae, researchers said.
—Lauren Liebhaber
september 8, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prickly
Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
When the sun sets in the Pacific Northwest, indigo skies push up against a treeline of prickly Douglas firs and spacious hemlocks.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 16 Sep. 2025
The Dungeon Master side is a bit more prickly as there’s a combat tracker to write on and a small rules booklet to manage.
—Rob Wieland, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Much of its body is covered in prickly sensory hair-like structures called setae, researchers said.
—Lauren Liebhaber
september 8, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prickly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prickly
Adjective
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The gentle cream is designed for daily use and is fragrance-free and non-irritating.—
Gabriela Izquierdo,
Southern Living,
27 Sep. 2025
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The irritating truth is that there’s no shoe that’s absolutely perfect for every single runner.—
Kristen Geil,
Outside,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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However, such symptoms are hard to attribute to vaccines because infants can be irritable or fussy regardless of vaccination.—
Aria Bendix,
NBC news,
19 Sep. 2025
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When the caffeine wears off, children may have a headache and feel irritable or tired.—
Dr. Mark Corkins,
Boston Herald,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The plan treads lightly on thornier topics, like the role of the Palestinian Authority, The New York Times noted.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
29 Sep. 2025
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Stories like these usually lurch from one contrivance and complication to the next, but Chad Powers knots itself into a genuinely thorny conflict by the finale.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Abrego Garcia’s lawyers have argued that travel to Moshannon is far more difficult for members of the defense team based in Nashville, and not easier for those in New York.—
Christine Valora,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Sep. 2025
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Senator Collins has proven in the past to be able to win in very difficult environments, 2008 being an example of that.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The conflict plays out against the backdrop of stunning visuals, leaning into the film's name as the characters battle in icy blue oceans and attempt to escape fiery explosions.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
26 Sep. 2025
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Maple and oak leaves blaze in brilliant yellows, fiery reds, and deep oranges, set against the lush green of the forest floor.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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With over 70,000 acres available to explore, visitors can take on the park’s 136 miles of trail, visit high alpine lakes, and climb jagged peaks.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Sep. 2025
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Nowadays, wig enthusiasts are shaping their lace to mimic more of a natural hairline that may include a widow’s peak, and or more jagged instead of rigid hair line, so definitely keep that customization option in mind.—
Noel Cymone Walker,
StyleCaster,
23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Windows 11 Pro gives you BitLocker encryption, Smart App Control, and biometric login support to help safeguard sensitive information.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
30 Sep. 2025
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Phishing scams often use convincing logos and language to trick you into revealing sensitive information.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Hailing from South East London, the 24-year-old introduced herself voice first — scratchy but honeyed, and impossible to ignore.—
Thania Garcia,
Variety,
19 Sep. 2025
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Sashay’s other trademark, beyond the glasses and the perpetual sense of exhaustion, is her endearing, distinctively scratchy voice.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prickly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prickly. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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