as in headaches
something that is a source of irritation
your constant questions are a thorn in my side
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Recent Examples of thorns
One was treated for minor injuries, likely from rose-bush thorns, Christensen said.
—
David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2025
Both the northern and southern branches of the reef have been battered lately by tropical storms and the encroachment of invasive coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish, but heat stress driven by warming oceans is the primary cause, scientists told the BBC.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 7 Aug. 2025
David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2025
Both the northern and southern branches of the reef have been battered lately by tropical storms and the encroachment of invasive coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish, but heat stress driven by warming oceans is the primary cause, scientists told the BBC.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thorns
Noun
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And constant headaches coming from upstairs.—
David Hudnall,
Kansas City Star,
2 Oct. 2025
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But that will not solve all their scheduling headaches.—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Protests in Morocco and Madagascar, two disparate and distant African countries, highlight the younger generation’s frustrations over enduring years of poor governance.—
Greg Dixon,
NPR,
2 Oct. 2025
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Two days later, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman Brendan Carr voiced his frustrations over Kimmel's comments and ABC temporarily pulled Kimmel from the air, while broadcasters Sinclair and Nexstar continued to preempt the show following its return on Sept 23.—
Kirsty Hatcher,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Decades ago, marshes were considered nuisances, soggy flats to be drained, dried, and made waterproof with liberal coatings of asphalt.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Lawson said Cal Fire makes N-95 masks available to those fighting fires, which can protect firefighters from particulate matter and certain irritants that cause Valley Fever, a fungal infection, Lawson said.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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Clothes worn outside can carry pollen, dust and other irritants.—
Rhonda Conner-Warren,
The Conversation,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Thorns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thorns. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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