Synonyms of thorn

thorn

noun

ˈthȯrn 

as in headache

something that is a source of irritation

your constant questions are a thorn in my side

Synonyms & Similar Words

• headache
• nuisance
• irritant
• frustration
• rub
• annoyance
• problem
• worry
• bugbear
• inconvenience
• irk
• pest
• ruffle
• hair shirt
• vexation
• exasperation
• peeve
• menace
• burden
• trial
• insult
• aggravation
• curse
• bother
• discomfort
• pinprick
• hassle
• plague
• aggro
• affront
• cross
• trouble
• millstone
• sore
• botheration
• predicament
• anxiety
• albatross
• disturber
• fleabite
• upset
• plight
• offender
• annoyer
• tribulation
• pet peeve
• offense
• harasser
• affliction
• hang-up
• mischief
• pandora's box

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pleasure
• joy
• delight

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of thorn

And as Jones notes, much of that is due to the actors who’ve thrown themselves into the characters, thorns and all. — Hannah Giorgis Yohannes, Vanity Fair, 13 July 2026

The Greens appear to be in disarray, and Rhaenyra may hope this is the end of the bloodshed, but Ormund quickly becomes a new thorn in her side. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 13 July 2026

Later, after a half-day tour to the nearby towns of Lampa and Pucará, the team made magic again, with a lunch in a forest of towering Puya raimondii, otherworldly bromeliads with thorns like piranha teeth. — Chris Schalkx, Travel + Leisure, 4 July 2026

Yamal was a thorn in Saudi Arabia’s side, drifting infield to unleash shots from distance but also peppering the penalty area with wicked deliveries from the right flank. — Mark Carey, New York Times, 2 July 2026