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
-
Such claims of penury, however, were difficult to square with certain facts.—
Patrick Radden Keefe,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Over time, my relationship with my wife has become very difficult.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
As the inspirational Moon glides into your 7th House of Allies, your expressive nature invites connection, and your generous spirit lightens tough conversations.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Apr. 2026
-
One factor is that the Highlanders, a Division 3 team, haven’t faced the toughest schedule.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The Moon in your sensitive 8th house is squaring Venus in your aspirational 11th house, potentially inciting irritation at the intersection of individual privacy and group plans.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Analysts say the government of Nigeria may feel a papal visit may be too sensitive at this time.—
Paul Tilsley,
FOXNews.com,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
If hairy bittercress overtakes your lawn, mow frequently in early spring to remove as many flowers as possible.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
11 Apr. 2026
-
But some unintentional purists, like Mays, remain on the hairy fringe.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Knead in enough of the remaining flour to make a soft dough that is slightly sticky, 5 minutes.—
Emily Teel,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Some scrapers feature a curved tip for working with sticky ingredients.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Crabapple is an artist and author known for lucid leftie takes, and her book takes on the thorny history of a vibrant intellectual tradition.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Conscious of their thorny public image, prediction markets have tried to launder their reputation by collaborating with news agencies.—
Frank Landymore,
Futurism,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Recalling what areas were problematic in their previous matchups against the Minnesota Timberwolves wasn’t all that hard for the Hornets’ coach.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Then, suddenly Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are injured, and winning a first-round series now seems problematic.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The figures had cracked in many places and some of the statues revealed their complicated armature.—
Douglas Stuart,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Legacy therapeutic approaches are sometimes complicated, costly, slow or restricted in geography.—
Lucy Jones
April 11,
Miami Herald,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spiny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spiny. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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