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
Lurking in spiny armor below the waves, sea urchin is a luscious and briny delicacy.
—
John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 11 June 2025
Leatherbacks have spiny papillae lining their mouth and esophagus.
—Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 6 June 2025
Some of these spiny characters, such as the field thistle, are native nectar sources for hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 June 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for spiny
John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 11 June 2025
Leatherbacks have spiny papillae lining their mouth and esophagus.
—Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 6 June 2025
Some of these spiny characters, such as the field thistle, are native nectar sources for hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 June 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for spiny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spiny
Adjective
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James is playing the final year of his contract at $52.6 million, which is a very difficult number for teams to pay.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 July 2025
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The fire is in difficult country with access issues and firefighters are evaluating options for the right flank and head of the fire.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
5 July 2025
Adjective
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Morton, 43, may take that advice under serious consideration, mentioning how tough the fans – and even fellow cast members – have been on her following this past season’s cast trip to Grenada.—
John Lawson,
Essence,
9 July 2025
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But after rookie third baseman Ronny Mauricio made an exceptionally tough double play to end a two-on, one-out threat in the bottom of the eighth, there was no way the Mets were losing.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
9 July 2025
Adjective
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This usually involves receiving a fake text, email or even a phone call designed to trick you into clicking a malicious link or sharing sensitive information.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
4 July 2025
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The thundering crackles and sharp bangs of pyrotechnics can not only frighten dogs but also cause discomfort to their sensitive ears.—
Logan Holland,
People.com,
4 July 2025
Adjective
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The green leaves are splotched with white and bumpy on the upper side, and the stems are hairy, which deters deer.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
6 July 2025
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Small, hairy hominids emerge — but the twist is that Superman must protect these Mole Men from the prairie mob who want to shoot the outsiders on sight.—
Los Angeles Times Staff,
Los Angeles Times,
3 July 2025
Adjective
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Michigan State University provides instructions on creating traps for SWD by poking tiny holes into plastic containers and filling them with apple cider vinegar to lure the insects in, and placing a sticky card inside to capture them.—
Sophia Valchine,
Freep.com,
9 July 2025
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According to Hardy, this cream’s only downside is that the texture feels a bit sticky.—
Danielle Jackson,
Glamour,
9 July 2025
Adjective
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That said, the negative reputation surrounding the last lines in Jones’ thorny adaptation — a punch-up from Ellison’s original text that’s meaner and more sexist, no doubt — seems outsized.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
11 July 2025
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However, women's health tech and privacy is a thorny issue.—
Emily Forlini,
PC Magazine,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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This is especially problematic because compensation in financial services is reliant on bonuses, commissions and decision-making power and these rewards don’t often trickle down.—
Sughnen Yongo,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
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For Gathegi, the shocking moment underscored age-old problematic tropes.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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While these may seem a bit too complicated for children, the kit is specifically designed for budding engineers aged 8 to 14 and includes easy-to-understand, age-appropriate instructions.—
Anja Webb,
Parents,
9 July 2025
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That stark reality, Wood said, was part of what compelled him to write the book Among the lessons Wood discusses are the importance of healthy communication, the role of community support and the insights drawn from his own complicated relationship with his father.—
Essence,
Essence,
9 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spiny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spiny. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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