SPINY Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

spiny

adjective

ˈspī-nē

Definition of spiny

as in difficult

requiring exceptional skill or caution in performance or handling this promises to be a spiny problem to negotiate

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of spiny While the bloody red shrimp may put pressure on other small lake creatures such as the spiny water flea, the shrimp are also a new source of food for fish, Branstrator said. — Keith Matheny, Freep.com, 3 July 2026 The flowers of jimson weeds are white or violet and trumpet-shaped, producing a spiny fruit. — Steve Bender, Southern Living, 21 June 2026 In its place urchin barrens now carpet the seafloor; a spiny, silent landscape stripped of life. — Tatjana Baleta, Time, 28 May 2026 The spiny, long-legged, and often reviled cockroach has become an unlikely symbol of dissent among India’s Gen Z, in a sharp rebuke to the ruling establishment in the world’s largest democracy. — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 22 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for spiny

Recent Examples of Synonyms for spiny

Adjective

Jarman, who came in as the defending champion on the event, put together a more difficult routine but was nicked by judges for his execution.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
This is the last remaining game on the schedule that should be very difficult.

— David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of difficult

Adjective

State officials had provided a version of the rolls that withheld such sensitive personal information, citing privacy concerns.

— Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 2 Nov. 2026
An Israeli military official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media or to discuss sensitive operational matters, also confirmed the withdrawal.

— Francesca Ebel, Washington Post, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of sensitive

Adjective

Two portraits of a woman thought to be Isabella—one by the painter Lorenzo Costa, another attributed to Il Cavazzola or Giulio Campi—depict her with a hairy little white dog, who was perhaps Aura, or, if not, one of her relatives.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026
This is executed through the use of varying shades of gray throughout the Field Boot’s upper, which combines a nubuck base with hairy suede overlays and a padded calf leather collar.

— Riley Jones, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of hairy

Adjective

Her worldwide museum experience had taught her the foibles of museums and academia, but her sense of humor and common sense settled some sticky situations while moving (the museum) as a center for socially transformative debates.

— Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
Since Rock Candy came out in February, Mackeeper have continued to churn out sticky songs, and had one of them appear in The Drama.

— Samuel Hyland, Pitchfork, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of sticky

Adjective

Inspired by imagery in the folkloric tome Grimms’ Fairy Tales, the lights mimic thorny bushes like blackthorn and rose, both used in witchcraft.

— Francesca Perry, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026
But their 20-3 loss to the Seahawks (4-3) was so thorough, unsightly and disillusioning as to render the 5-0 run-up to it entirely suspect — especially considering the Chiefs’ thorny schedule ahead.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of thorny

Adjective

Trump has portrayed the bill as a simple fix to a complicated problem.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
Tackling complicated optimization problems Quantum computers could also help with problems involving enormous numbers of possible combinations.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of complicated

Browse Nearby Words

spinsters

spiny

spiral

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“Spiny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spiny. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of spiny

adjective

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