thorns

plural of thorn

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 thorns In many species, the pronotum extends over the body to form elaborate shapes that resemble thorns, buds, or other plant structures, providing excellent camouflage. Markis Hill, Kansas City Star, 9 Aug. 2026 These networks used to buffer against isolation and economic displacement—the thorns of modern life that make partnership more valuable yet love more difficult to find. Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2026 Blackthorn salt was filtered through something called a tower of thorns. Literary Hub, 22 July 2026 According to Fried, songbirds especially like this tree’s fruit, which is reminiscent of blackberries but without the seeds or thorns. Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 18 July 2026 Worst of all, these trees have become invasive, crossing with other Callery cultivars to create wild hybrids that produce four-inch-long thorns. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 15 July 2026 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 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 An individual bush can grow up to 15 feet high and 40 feet long, with thick stems, also known as canes, marked by sharp, hooked thorns. The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 25 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thorns
Noun
  • Common symptoms include fever, headaches, body aches, joint pain, rash, vomiting and diarrhea, according to the CDC.
    Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Others get quiet, clingy or suddenly complain of stomachaches and headaches.
    Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Many were quick to express their frustrations over the outage on social media.
    Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Some version of both, with all the frustrations and unknowns that come along.
    Rachel Siegel, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The Kansas City City Council approved a trio of ordinances on Thursday aimed at vacant properties that become nuisances and staving off demolition of historic buildings.
    Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Germans often overreact to animal nuisances with complicated schemes.
    Ben Crair, New Yorker, 31 July 2026
Noun
  • Sharks are known to rub against reefs, sand, rocks and even the seafloor to remove irritants.
    Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
  • The signature blend of ceramides works to strengthen and support the skin’s natural barrier, which helps lock in moisture while defending against environmental irritants like pollutants and allergens.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 23 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Thorns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thorns. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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