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
Is someone that checked out, and that prickly a figure really about to be among the ranks of three-time Oscar-winning living legends Daniel Day-Lewis, Frances McDormand, Jack Nicholson, and Meryl Streep?
—
Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 4 Mar. 2026
Advertisement Gyllenhaal’s debut picture, 2021’s Elena Ferrante adaptation The Lost Daughter—with Olivia Colman as a prickly academic on holiday, played, in her younger incarnation, by Buckley—was similarly ambitious, but its urgent, freewheeling sense of discovery worked in its favor.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 4 Mar. 2026
Offshore Data Centers Face Challenges Aikido’s plan avoids the prickly not-in-my-backyard complaints that are dogging both onshore wind and data-center projects.
—IEEE Spectrum, 3 Mar. 2026
Jürgen is a prickly, sensitive human being.
—Roger Bennett, Fortune, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prickly
Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 4 Mar. 2026
Advertisement Gyllenhaal’s debut picture, 2021’s Elena Ferrante adaptation The Lost Daughter—with Olivia Colman as a prickly academic on holiday, played, in her younger incarnation, by Buckley—was similarly ambitious, but its urgent, freewheeling sense of discovery worked in its favor.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 4 Mar. 2026
Offshore Data Centers Face Challenges Aikido’s plan avoids the prickly not-in-my-backyard complaints that are dogging both onshore wind and data-center projects.
—IEEE Spectrum, 3 Mar. 2026
Jürgen is a prickly, sensitive human being.
—Roger Bennett, Fortune, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prickly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prickly
Adjective
-
Rather than focusing on clarity with harsh actives, a key component to the glass skin trend is using gentle, non-irritating ingredients that take your skin to a healthier state.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
InStyle,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Caustic soda crystals cannot be ingested; baking soda is edible and non-irritating.—
Jolie Kerr,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Rather than get irritable online, Medeiros did something positive about it.—
Dan Medeiros,
The Herald News,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Manic episodes are described as prolonged periods of mood instability, in which a person can experience extreme increases in energy or euphoria, or alternatively, feel depressed or unusually irritable.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Gauntlet gloves are the one accessory that'll protect you from your thorniest gardening problems.—
Libby Monteith Minor,
Southern Living,
14 Mar. 2026
-
So many stories about female friendship are about very thorny relationships in conflict.—
Diya Chacko,
Oc Register,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Kansas played the Blue Devils close and made life difficult for Duke freshman Cameron Boozer, largely thanks to Flory Bidunga’s defense.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
16 Mar. 2026
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Parents in attendance shared appreciation for seeing teens connect with older adults, especially during a stage of life when meaningful conversation at home can sometimes feel more difficult.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The fiery Tom Yam – a heady mix of gin, coriander, chilli, ginger and lime – is a must.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
12 Mar. 2026
-
At least one person had to be taken to the hospital after a fiery crash in Allegheny County.—
Patrick Damp,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Its vast salt flats, jagged canyons, and sweeping sand dunes seem merely designed to test human endurance.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Mar. 2026
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From Buffalo Grove, the district goes northwest on a jagged path through Mundelein, Fox Lake and into McHenry County.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Frost and freeze conditions will damage unprotected vegetation that is sensitive to freezing temperatures.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 Mar. 2026
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Uncompromising Hygiene and Safety Pregnant and postpartum bodies are often highly sensitive to touch and smell, so much so that, at times, otherwise minor irritations and sensations can feel overwhelming.—
Ethan Stone,
USA Today,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The most interesting thing about the song might be the scratchy, lo-fi guitar solo half way through, and that only lasts 15 seconds.—
Ben Cardew,
Pitchfork,
10 Mar. 2026
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The blend of cotton and linen keeps them soft and flexible without feeling scratchy, but the adjustable elastic waistband is the real star of the show.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prickly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prickly. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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