as in difficult
requiring exceptional skill or caution in performance or handling
this promises to be a spiny problem to negotiate
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spiny
This medium-sized toad, found in the Khumbu region, is distinguished by its large, flat head and spiny skin.
—
Real-Time News Team, Miami Herald, 16 May 2025
Medium spiny neurons play an important role in habit formation, the process by which a behavior becomes automatic and habitual – think compulsions.
—Carol Mathews, The Conversation, 13 May 2025
From tree stumps and rocks, the spiny reptiles basked and watched as wooden fences subdivided the landscape.
—Sean Greene, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025
Every late November and early December, the Anegada Lobster Festival takes the island's year-round lobster love and turns it into an obsession, with local restaurants featuring special dishes and plenty of events making the spiny Anegada lobster the star of the show.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spiny
Real-Time News Team, Miami Herald, 16 May 2025
Medium spiny neurons play an important role in habit formation, the process by which a behavior becomes automatic and habitual – think compulsions.
—Carol Mathews, The Conversation, 13 May 2025
From tree stumps and rocks, the spiny reptiles basked and watched as wooden fences subdivided the landscape.
—Sean Greene, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025
Every late November and early December, the Anegada Lobster Festival takes the island's year-round lobster love and turns it into an obsession, with local restaurants featuring special dishes and plenty of events making the spiny Anegada lobster the star of the show.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spiny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spiny
Adjective
-
No matter how sweet, the little crocodile grows bigger and more difficult to care for.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
10 June 2025
-
Protein powder can be difficult to digest Protein powder contains especially high concentrations of protein.—
MISAKI KAWATSU,
Vogue,
10 June 2025
Adjective
-
In Mind For startups, achieving more with less can be tough.—
John Hall,
Forbes.com,
15 June 2025
-
The vote took place against an increasingly violent backlash to the Trump administration's tough immigration policies.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 June 2025
Adjective
-
Amino acids are more easily absorbed than proteins and do not damage the intestinal environment, which means even those with sensitive digestions can take them.—
MISAKI KAWATSU,
Vogue,
10 June 2025
-
This principle, applied across all workloads, is instrumental for reducing the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive data.—
Ben Blanquera,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
Adjective
-
Several things may cause dark black spots on the tongue, including a benign condition called hairy tongue, some medications, and some health conditions.—
Wendy Wisner,
Health,
8 June 2025
-
Enjoy some hairy onboard footage as this alien spaceship of a sailboat records the second-fastest speed in history.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
4 June 2025
Adjective
-
With their sticky bodies, hammerhead worms may get stuck to pet fur, but the worms will not irritate their skin, Morgan-Olvera added.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
14 June 2025
-
The Eos Fragrance Free Body Lotion offers 24 hours of protection and doesn’t leave behind a sticky or greasy residue.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
12 June 2025
Adjective
-
Some have risked their lives and their livelihoods to cover thorny issues affecting their home countries.—
David Folkenflik,
NPR,
21 June 2025
-
Expected to go on sale in North America this fall, pricing will be a thorny issue in the era of on-again, off-again, on-again tariffs.—
Peter Lyon,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
Adjective
-
And if that decline becomes problematic, it will likely be tied to physical decline that makes an LTIR exit viable.—
Jonas Siegel,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
-
Attempts to stem the flow of materials that could aid Kim's nuclear program became even more problematic last year when Russia vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that would have extended the mandate of a panel of experts enforcing sanctions on North Korea.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
Adjective
-
At the apotheosis of technical wizardry, Vacheron Constantin debuted the most complicated wristwatch in the world, the Les Cabinotiers Solaria Ultra Grand Complication-La Première.—
Paige Reddinger,
Robb Report,
15 June 2025
-
The movie centers on a New York City matchmaker caught between Mr. Perfect and her complicated ex. Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal lead the cast.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
14 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spiny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spiny. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.
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