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
Lisianthus, sometimes referred to as the rose without thorns, is a favorite among florists and gardeners alike.
—
Cori Sears, The Spruce, 5 Mar. 2026
As a bonus, currant shrubs lack the thorns found on many other berry bushes.
—Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Feb. 2026
Beyond the trees a fence of thorns.
—Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026
Let’s go through your roses and thorns for some of the show’s most iconic scenes.
—Reshma Gopaldas, Vogue, 17 Feb. 2026
From Callum Turner‘s cheekbones and Fanning’s wide eyes to Keough’s legs and Lukas Gage’s curls, beauty strikes at every turn, yet barely conceals the barbs and thorns such looks envelop here.
—David Opie, IndieWire, 15 Feb. 2026
The fungus enters the body through small cuts or puncture wounds, often from rose thorns or splinters.
—Leslie Baumann, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
In Christianity, its leaves represent the crown of thorns and berries Christ’s blood.
—Clarence Schmidt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
According to fashion reporter Jarrod Jenkins, who shared a video of the event on his Instagram, Taylor said the theme of her previous Air Jordan 1 Zoom Cmft collaboration was centered around the rose, while the new Air Jordan 3 project hones in on the thorns.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 1 Feb. 2026
Cori Sears, The Spruce, 5 Mar. 2026
As a bonus, currant shrubs lack the thorns found on many other berry bushes.
—Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Feb. 2026
Beyond the trees a fence of thorns.
—Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026
Let’s go through your roses and thorns for some of the show’s most iconic scenes.
—Reshma Gopaldas, Vogue, 17 Feb. 2026
From Callum Turner‘s cheekbones and Fanning’s wide eyes to Keough’s legs and Lukas Gage’s curls, beauty strikes at every turn, yet barely conceals the barbs and thorns such looks envelop here.
—David Opie, IndieWire, 15 Feb. 2026
The fungus enters the body through small cuts or puncture wounds, often from rose thorns or splinters.
—Leslie Baumann, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
In Christianity, its leaves represent the crown of thorns and berries Christ’s blood.
—Clarence Schmidt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
According to fashion reporter Jarrod Jenkins, who shared a video of the event on his Instagram, Taylor said the theme of her previous Air Jordan 1 Zoom Cmft collaboration was centered around the rose, while the new Air Jordan 3 project hones in on the thorns.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 1 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thorns
Noun
-
But the majority now rejects apps and the communication hassles and technology headaches that come with them.—
Diana Budds,
Architectural Digest,
3 Mar. 2026
-
The headaches opening outside New York City are considerably less, and goes beyond more generous margins.—
Andrea Strong,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Some employees publicly expressed their frustrations.—
Hadas Gold,
CNN Money,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Some residents expressed their frustrations about the small town’s few voting locations and how the new primary voting location policies might push people away.—
From Staff Reports,
Dallas Morning News,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Many of those surveyed said homelessness, loitering, drug use and public nuisances, along with protracted and intensive municipal construction projects, deter customers from visiting establishments.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Property owners who tolerate habitual nuisances will have to meet certain standards set by the city and pay fees to reimburse the city for enforcement resources.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Federal agents clashed with students and staff at the end of the school day, deploying chemical irritants and tackling several people in the encounter.—
Beret Leone,
CBS News,
2 Mar. 2026
-
In that incident, federal agents deployed chemical irritants against protesters and observers in Mueller Park in the Lowry Hill East neighborhood of Minneapolis, the Minnesota Star Tribune reported.—
Kathryn Kovalenko,
Twin Cities,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Thorns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thorns. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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