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
The physical description evokes a compact, spiny, wide-eyed animal — the kind of species that would stand out immediately in a field encounter.
—
Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2026
The robust green plant was the centerpiece of a garden that includes smaller, greener elephant’s trunk agaves, spiny South African bitter aloe, and the Madagascan Aloe imalotensis.
—Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
In spring, holly is especially important—its spiny or thick foliage provides a safe, predator-resistant space for squirrels and small mammals to raise their young.
—Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 20 Jan. 2026
One is the ornate mausoleum of the Islamic Republic’s founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, which features a huge golden dome and four spiny minarets visible for miles, a sprawling parking lot with space for twenty thousand vehicles, and a mall of souvenir shops and kebab restaurants.
—Robin Wright, New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spiny
Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2026
The robust green plant was the centerpiece of a garden that includes smaller, greener elephant’s trunk agaves, spiny South African bitter aloe, and the Madagascan Aloe imalotensis.
—Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
In spring, holly is especially important—its spiny or thick foliage provides a safe, predator-resistant space for squirrels and small mammals to raise their young.
—Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 20 Jan. 2026
One is the ornate mausoleum of the Islamic Republic’s founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, which features a huge golden dome and four spiny minarets visible for miles, a sprawling parking lot with space for twenty thousand vehicles, and a mall of souvenir shops and kebab restaurants.
—Robin Wright, New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spiny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spiny
Adjective
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Christie acknowledged that the Kings were in a difficult position given their recent schedule injury situation.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
30 Mar. 2026
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Even putting the tank on the ice was more difficult this year.—
Spencer Wilson,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The judge assigned to Amin’s case was Iman Afshari, known in Tehran for his tough sentences—a reputation that led the European Union to place him on a blacklist, in January, for human-rights abuses.—
Cora Engelbrecht,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
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Two sisters in Big Bear are facing one of the toughest moments in their lives.—
Zach Boetto,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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This wasn’t surprising, given that intelligence agencies compartmentalize information about sensitive operations.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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It is well understood in the region that could mean things like broad targeting of sensitive and highly vulnerable energy installations, something Iran has already threatened, essential for the regional and global economies, as well as hard to quickly repair and rebuild.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Buried deep in a mound of tribbles and emerging from the hairy pile of creatures, Kirk handles himself admirably, embracing the unfortunate situation with a sense of comedic calm that adds yet another humanistic dimension to the iconic captain's character.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
22 Mar. 2026
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That held up as the GWG — but not without some hairy moments.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
22 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Equal parts creature feature and Florida noir, Mermaid is sticky, sunburned, and defiantly strange.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
31 Mar. 2026
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Maurer imagines blending the fungi with Martian or lunar dirt; their sticky mycelia would cement it into an extraterrestrial equivalent of particle board.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Despite Sora’s demise, thorny issues around generative AI aren’t going away for the union.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
26 Mar. 2026
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Whatever your opinion, Theroux has an impressive back catalogue of documentaries worth watching, each one tackling a thorny topic with his signature faux naivety and awkward charm.—
Irenie Forshaw,
TheWeek,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Amichai Cohen, a senior fellow at the Israel Democracy Institute’s Center for Democratic Values and Institutions, said this distinction is problematic.—
Julia Frankel,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Mar. 2026
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Woods has always had a complicated reputation, but he’s also widely considered one of the best golfers ever, which means a lot of his problematic behavior has been excused because of his talent and his friendship with the US President.—
StyleCaster Editors,
StyleCaster,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The complicated and delicate efforts to rescue the 12-15 meter (39-49 feet) whale off a sandbank at Timmendorfer Strand beach earlier this week captivated Germans — with media sending news alerts of updates on its progress and streaming live video from the scene.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
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Readers send Miss Manners not only their table and party questions, but those involving the more complicated aspects of life - romance, work, family relationships, child-rearing, death - as well as philosophical and moral dilemmas.—
Judith Martin,
Dallas Morning News,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spiny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spiny. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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