as in headache
something that is a source of irritation
your constant questions are a thorn in my side
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Recent Examples of thorn
The early part of the season indicated Arizona would indeed be a thorn in the side of the Dodgers and one of the best teams in the NL.
—
Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
But one Democratic strategist said Emanuel’s record — particularly as mayor of Chicago — could be a thorn in his side.
—Amie Parnes, The Hill, 30 May 2025
The law has been a thorn in the side of the Trump administration’s campaign to ramp up deportations, which the president has cast as an effort to rid the country of criminals despite also targeting immigrants with no prior convictions.
—Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025
As Trump’s top second-term legislative priority remained in limbo, the courts once again were a thorn in his side on what to him may be his most important policy objective of all: his big, beautiful tariffs.
—W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for thorn
Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
But one Democratic strategist said Emanuel’s record — particularly as mayor of Chicago — could be a thorn in his side.
—Amie Parnes, The Hill, 30 May 2025
The law has been a thorn in the side of the Trump administration’s campaign to ramp up deportations, which the president has cast as an effort to rid the country of criminals despite also targeting immigrants with no prior convictions.
—Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025
As Trump’s top second-term legislative priority remained in limbo, the courts once again were a thorn in his side on what to him may be his most important policy objective of all: his big, beautiful tariffs.
—W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for thorn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thorn
Noun
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This is just the wrong place for trash fees to be charged and is pretty much guaranteed to create massive headaches for homeowners.—
Inga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 June 2025
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Bringing a pet to the vet's office for an appointment can often cause owners headaches, but one woman's chaotic experience left the internet in stitches.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 June 2025
Noun
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An American Werewolf in London' (1981) American dudes backpacking in England get attacked by a werewolf, one of them becomes a beastly nuisance on the full moon, and things get bloody freaky in old London Town.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
14 June 2025
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In the longer term, the City Council would do well to reconsider enacting a city nuisance ordinance that would punish anyone rioting, looting, obstructing the public way, disrupting traffic, physically assaulting a police officer or even publicly calling for such behavior.—
Paul Vallas,
Chicago Tribune,
11 June 2025
Noun
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At one point, Mendoza recalled seeing the police push the protesters away from her storefront and deploying chemical irritants.—
Chris Boyette,
CNN Money,
14 June 2025
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Earlier demonstrations this week in Austin and Dallas saw brief confrontations between protesters and police, with officers using chemical irritants to disperse crowds and about a dozen individuals arrested.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 June 2025
Noun
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His populist messaging and anti-establishment persona align with many voters’ frustrations with Washington, the Federal Reserve, and legacy media.—
Becca Bratcher,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
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But Mascherano’s frustration with the team’s lack of new players before the tournament also reached a boiling point on the eve of the opening match.—
Felipe Cardenas,
New York Times,
15 June 2025
Noun
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During cross-examination, Jane testified that Combs enjoyed foot rubs and episodes of his favorite show Dateline.—
Janelle Griffith,
People.com,
10 June 2025
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As noted above, there is a rub to connecting, enabling and activating networks.—
Barry Libert,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Thorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thorn. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.
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