thorn

noun

ˈthȯrn How to pronounce thorn (audio)
Definition of thornnext
as in headache
something that is a source of irritation your constant questions are a thorn in my side

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 thorn Waiting in the wings are short sellers — long a thorn in Musk’s side — who have been increasing their bets against the company in the wake of recent drops in share price, as Reuters reports. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 24 June 2026 Every single product is impeccable; the only thorn in any of their sides is the admittedly high price point. — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 23 June 2026 The match was set, and now Rhodes will defend the title against the two thorns in his side since before Clash in Italy. — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 20 June 2026 Until Hoxha's break with Nikita Khrushchev's USSR, after the abjuration of Stalinism, Sazan was in Soviet hands, a thorn in the side of the West, a base for 12 Whiskey-class submarines and of chemical-biological weapons plants. — Marzio G. Mian, Vanity Fair, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for thorn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thorn
  1. headache
  2. nuisance
  3. irritant
  4. frustration
  5. rub
Noun
  • Puppies getting their first grooming experience, large breeds that are difficult to transport and dogs in multi-pet households where coordinating salon logistics is a headache all stand to gain as well.
    — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026
  • Designed for home gardeners who want results without the hassle – no gas, no fumes, and no maintenance headaches.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026
Definition of headache
Noun
  • This is a nuisance for many people who are using generative AI purely to draft text.
    — Michael Leone, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
  • The city of Fort Worth is asking a Tarrant County court to declare an East Lancaster Avenue motel a common nuisance, and force its ownership to fix what the city alleges are years of persistent criminal activity.
    — Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 July 2026
Definition of nuisance
Noun
  • The crafty 10th-seeded Czech, whose slices and volleys are perfectly suited to Wimbledon’s low-bouncing surface, carries a medicine cabinet’s worth of remedies to prove that the All England Club’s famous lawns can be a real irritant.
    — Douglas Robson, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • Kaplan's research team put a rash-inducing irritant on the ears of mice.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 June 2026
Definition of irritant
Noun
  • Its passage signals that lawmakers recognize the frustration many Americans feel about the high cost of housing.
    — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • Over time, that leads to frustration, burnout, and in some cases, outstanding educators leaving the profession altogether.
    — Tiffany Thenor, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of frustration
Noun
  • In a bowl, combine all dry rub ingredients and season the ribs generously on all sides.
    — Staff, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • The posh pup has a home in the lobby and outside the front entrance, and sits (and stays) at the ready for belly rubs.
    — Andrew Sessa, Robb Report, 2 July 2026
Definition of rub

Browse Nearby Words

thoraxes
thorn
thorniness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Thorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thorn. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on thorn

Nglish: Translation of thorn for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about thorn

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