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
There’s the prickly one sporting a spiked collar and the wannabe cowboy twirling a lasso.
—
Ariel Bleicher, Quanta Magazine, 16 Apr. 2025
Lawrence will play Judge Stone, a former prosecutor known for his prickly attitude and tough sentencing.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 11 Apr. 2025
Our band, too, found ourselves on a prickly path to one of the most revered venues in the country.
—Ryan Miller, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2025
Presented between columns equipped with needle-like installations, the designer showed sultry, body-hugging looks with prickly prints and comfy, padded pieces.
—Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prickly
Ariel Bleicher, Quanta Magazine, 16 Apr. 2025
Lawrence will play Judge Stone, a former prosecutor known for his prickly attitude and tough sentencing.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 11 Apr. 2025
Our band, too, found ourselves on a prickly path to one of the most revered venues in the country.
—Ryan Miller, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2025
Presented between columns equipped with needle-like installations, the designer showed sultry, body-hugging looks with prickly prints and comfy, padded pieces.
—Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prickly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prickly
Adjective
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Not just the threat-of-extinction stuff, which includes Bassett’s POTUS debating which American city to blow up as a preemptive gesture, but by its own irritating God’s-eye omniscience that rarely allows the suspense to spool out in the present.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2025
-
For some people, double cleansing may be too irritating.—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
15 May 2025
Adjective
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It is believed to reduce pain and inflammation, and has been used for treatment of back pain, high blood pressure, arthritis, migraines, and irritable bowel disease.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
4 Apr. 2025
-
And even in what was a stilted match played in an increasingly irritable atmosphere, Rogers and Tielemans delivered with an assist each.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The climate crisis is a big, thorny problem that demands nuance and thoughtful reflection.—
Sammy Roth,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2025
-
The cases have raised thorny legal questions about jurisdiction as well as First Amendment rights to free speech, which extend to both citizens and noncitizens under the US Constitution.—
Gloria Pazmino,
CNN Money,
14 May 2025
Adjective
-
Two of Elissa’s tumors were obliterated that day, but the third was too difficult to reach without repositioning Elissa’s body in a way that would have taken too much time under anesthesia.—
Kristen Jordan Shamus,
USA Today,
19 May 2025
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Luca Solca sector head for global luxury goods at Bernstein Clouding the picture further, many other premium Swiss watchmakers including Rolex, Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet, are privately owned, making their performance difficult to decipher.—
Karen Gilchrist,
CNBC,
18 May 2025
Adjective
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Her quirky sense of humor and passion for her career align with the zodiac sign Aries, whose fiery spirit can relate.—
Lisa Stardust,
People.com,
11 May 2025
-
The fiery collision involved a tour bus and a Nissan SUV.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
11 May 2025
Adjective
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For the next hour or so, several of them will summit various routes along the cliff's steep, jagged face.—
Sean Clancy,
Arkansas Online,
12 May 2025
-
Grok 3: The wind howled through the jagged spires of the Frostfang Reaches, carrying a chill that bit deeper than any blade, and Ser Willem Cray felt its teeth in his bones.—
Kelsey Piper,
Vox,
12 May 2025
Adjective
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Security clearance requirements limit the most sensitive jobs to U.S. citizens.—
Davis Winkie,
USA Today,
19 May 2025
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This question asks for personal sensitive information that is protected by privacy laws.—
Ernesto Londoño,
New York Times,
18 May 2025
Adjective
-
The group stops, and the cubs make several scratchy, high-pitched sounds.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2025
-
While lots of outdoor rugs are scratchy and rough, this one feels cozy and soft enough to spend time lounging on all summer long.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prickly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prickly. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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