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
Though these prawns have spiny shells that are difficult to peel, the meat has a sweet taste like lobster, making this entree one of the eatery’s main attractions.
—
Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2025
Zebra and quagga mussels, spiny water flea and dozens of other Eurasian organisms colonized the Great Lakes starting in the late 1900s after arriving in ballast water from transoceanic ships.
—Christine Keiner, The Conversation, 28 Feb. 2025
Aloe vera is a spiny succulent plant that looks similar to agave.
—Atenea Morales De La Cruz, Vogue, 13 Feb. 2025
In late winter to early spring, tiny white flowers that produce the spiny seeds, which are each about the size of a peppercorn, appear.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spiny
Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2025
Zebra and quagga mussels, spiny water flea and dozens of other Eurasian organisms colonized the Great Lakes starting in the late 1900s after arriving in ballast water from transoceanic ships.
—Christine Keiner, The Conversation, 28 Feb. 2025
Aloe vera is a spiny succulent plant that looks similar to agave.
—Atenea Morales De La Cruz, Vogue, 13 Feb. 2025
In late winter to early spring, tiny white flowers that produce the spiny seeds, which are each about the size of a peppercorn, appear.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spiny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spiny
Adjective
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The Whitecaps won games in Mexico, which is difficult to do.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2025
-
The task for Denver tonight will be that much more difficult if Michael Porter Jr. (shoulder) is unavailable or limited.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Published in English, Tehelka had a small circulation but an outsized reputation for tough investigations.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Four times, he’s used it to strikeout hitters, with the horizontal break being tough to pick up.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Companies frequently suffer data breaches, leaking large amounts of sensitive information.—
Vytautas Kaziukonis,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
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According to the air quality index, anything over 100 for pollutants and fine particulates in the air is considered unhealthy, especially for people who are sensitive to the effects of elevated levels of pollutants, including children and adults with pre-existing respiratory problems.—
Jon Haworth,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Genetically identical neurons that form Meissner corpuscles for picking up vibrations in glabrous skin, for example, also form lanceolate endings for detecting hair movement in hairy skin.—
Ariel Bleicher,
Quanta Magazine,
16 Apr. 2025
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Each one-inch bloom has a hairy purple calyx with two red petals, resembling the face and ears of a bat.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Rakestraw was excellent in training camp last year, showing a knack for the ball, sticky coverage and physicality in the run game.—
Colton Pouncy,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
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Vionic Kimmie Sneakers $130 $60 at Amazon These Vionic sneakers have perforated suede leather uppers that provide maximum airflow to keep your feet cool on hot, sticky afternoons.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Join Our Other Game Discussions Want to be part of the conversation about New York Times Games, or maybe get some help with a particularly thorny puzzle?—
Sam Corbin,
New York Times,
22 Apr. 2025
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Despite a recent pause on some tariffs, Apple remains in a particularly thorny spot as Donald Trump's trade war spikes costs in the tech company's iPhone manufacturing hub, China.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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For years, Chicago Public School officials would send dozens of names of problematic employees to monthly board meetings for their dismissals to be signed off on.—
Nell Salzman,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Apr. 2025
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Simon Callow is a new addition as a problematic billionaire funding Metropolitan Ballet Theater, as is David Haig, who plays its ailing artistic director.—
Emily Zemler,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The Princess of Wales is coming off a very complicated year.—
Blanche Marcel,
Glamour,
28 Apr. 2025
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Admittedly, the show started to lose some momentum in later seasons as subplots and shifting relationships became more complicated.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
27 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spiny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spiny. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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