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

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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

Being undefeated after a trio of difficult opening matches can only be seen as a positive, even if Newcastle’s obvious shortcomings require addressing if that run is to be prolonged.

— Chris Waugh, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Engineers need flight data on propulsion, aerodynamics, thermal management, guidance and other subsystems under conditions that are difficult to reproduce on the ground.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of difficult

Adjective

Space-grade electronics will cost more, and the ball’s shell—made from a material tough enough to roll over steel shards and withstand minus 184 °C temperatures—has never been evaluated in lunar extremes.

— IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 3 Sep. 2026
Democratic leaders face tough decisions on where to spend limited party resources to win the Senate majority.

— Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of tough

Adjective

Government debt makes up more than 200% of its gross domestic product, leaving its finances highly sensitive to rising borrowing costs.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
In addition to pressure, the team demonstrated that the same basic glass platform could also be made sensitive to temperature.

— Pawel Maniewski, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of sensitive

Adjective

The industry is obsessed with tracking who has the biggest model to solve the hairiest problems.

— Don Schuerman, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
The southern hairy-nosed wombat is the smallest of three species of wombats, all found in Australia, typically weighing between 45 and 65 pounds.

— Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of hairy

Adjective

What comes then isn’t relief or a release but a promise that these characters and their circumstances will remain sticky in your mind.

— Tembe Denton-Hurst, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
Without ventilation, those particles settle on nearby surfaces like cabinets, walls, and countertops, creating a sticky film that builds up over time.

— Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of sticky

Adjective

The lack of an alternative striker to Haaland could be problematic if the 26-year-old misses any significant period, and given Trafford played an important role in City winning two domestic cups last season, Rulli will have a lot to live up to.

— Sam Lee, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
As the first episode begins, the exultant staffers arrive at work only to find out the office in mourning over the death of a beloved Softees salesman, whose problematic personal life will make the writing of the obit a nightmare of an assignment.

— Julie Hinds, Freep.com, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of problematic

Adjective

Downs got a complicated Ohio State defense on the right page, made checks and took away passing lanes by consistently being in the right place.

— Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Hossain ties up the fate of her complicated protagonist with a neat bow, leaving too many unanswered questions about the backstory and topics raised.

— Miriam Balanescu, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 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 8 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of spiny

adjective

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