as in headaches
something that is a source of irritation
your constant questions are a thorn in my side
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of thorns
Buds will fail to open properly, and some of the canes will have multitudes of thorns.
—
Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Oct. 2025
Since his introduction in Peacemaker’s first season, the sarcastic, Cheeto-devouring martial arts expert has been one of the sharpest thorns in the sides of the 11th Street Kids.
—Scott Meslow, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
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
Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Oct. 2025
Since his introduction in Peacemaker’s first season, the sarcastic, Cheeto-devouring martial arts expert has been one of the sharpest thorns in the sides of the 11th Street Kids.
—Scott Meslow, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thorns
Noun
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Delays in processing export permits for rare earths earlier this year caused major headaches for companies in Europe and Asia.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
10 Oct. 2025
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Soon, Disley learned that Chewy was in the nurse's office frequently — sometimes three times a day — due to headaches and stomachaches.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Three years ago, her practice made the decision to stop accepting UnitedHealthcare over a different set of reimbursement frustrations.—
Kenzi Abou-Sabe,
NBC news,
9 Oct. 2025
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While reality hit them all, one fan has decided to take their frustrations to the courtroom.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
9 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
-
Have protective goggles or shatter-resistant glasses (for tear gas or irritants).—
Jalen Williams,
Freep.com,
13 Oct. 2025
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Dirty clothing can also cause or worsen rashes in some people, depending on which skin irritants are lingering in your clothes.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
11 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Thorns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thorns. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
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