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
Others may even have thorns, so thornless trees like the captivator are quite popular.
—
Emily Hayes, Martha Stewart, 10 June 2026
Some have thorns or spines, others have poisonous leaves or berries, and still others have…elaborate chemical defense alarm systems?
—Regina G. Barber, NPR, 3 June 2026
So put on some leather gloves to protect you from its vicious thorns and then use hand pruners to cut the plants back by about one-third.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 27 May 2026
Other diamonds have spikier settings resembling thorns.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 27 May 2026
Thanks to four layers of latex and a 3750D elastic outer fabric, the inner hose is protected from pesky things like thorns and sharp corners.
—Quincy Bulin, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 May 2026
Removing the thorns may help our favorite novels appeal to a wider audience, but such refinements make art feel as lifeless as Catherine Linton’s corpse at the end of Emerald Fennell’s film.
—Literary Hub, 14 May 2026
That’s a whole lot of people — 24 of the 30 in this group alone — and Vought really isn’t helping their case with their hilariously corny promo of Jesus Christ himself passing the torch (or rather the crown of thorns).
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 13 May 2026
Wear protective clothing and leather gloves, as thorns found along the stems hurt.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2026
Emily Hayes, Martha Stewart, 10 June 2026
Some have thorns or spines, others have poisonous leaves or berries, and still others have…elaborate chemical defense alarm systems?
—Regina G. Barber, NPR, 3 June 2026
So put on some leather gloves to protect you from its vicious thorns and then use hand pruners to cut the plants back by about one-third.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 27 May 2026
Other diamonds have spikier settings resembling thorns.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 27 May 2026
Thanks to four layers of latex and a 3750D elastic outer fabric, the inner hose is protected from pesky things like thorns and sharp corners.
—Quincy Bulin, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 May 2026
Removing the thorns may help our favorite novels appeal to a wider audience, but such refinements make art feel as lifeless as Catherine Linton’s corpse at the end of Emerald Fennell’s film.
—Literary Hub, 14 May 2026
That’s a whole lot of people — 24 of the 30 in this group alone — and Vought really isn’t helping their case with their hilariously corny promo of Jesus Christ himself passing the torch (or rather the crown of thorns).
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 13 May 2026
Wear protective clothing and leather gloves, as thorns found along the stems hurt.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thorns
Noun
-
Common symptoms include headaches, fever, diarrhea, muscle weakness, tingling or numbness, neck stiffness or flu-like symptoms.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
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This first patient had fever, headaches, muscle pain, malaise, loss of appetite, diarrhea and abdominal pain, among other symptoms.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2026
Noun
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Fried issued her statement to the Herald in response to questions about frustrations with the party’s silence on Wasserman Schultz’s run.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
11 June 2026
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Those frustrations turned to elation last summer when not only did Uzbekistan finally qualify, but did so with a game to spare when edging out the United Arab Emirates and Qatar in their group.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
Rather than mere observational nuisances or purely destructive forces, these eruptions can be read as messages from the star, offering key insights into the potential habitability of its planets and informing the broader search for life beyond Earth.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
8 Dec. 2025
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At the same time, Daugherty said, city attorneys are drafting an ordinance to designate properties like those mentioned above as habitual nuisances.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Elgin city leaders are among those demanding answers after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation turned into a chaotic scene involving a crash, a crowd and chemical irritants.—
Darius Johnson,
CBS News,
8 Dec. 2025
-
These invisible irritants float through the air and can trigger inflammation throughout the body.—
Pranjal Malewar,
New Atlas,
18 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Thorns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thorns. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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