Synonyms of thorny

thorny

adjective

ˈthȯr-nē 

1

as in jagged

having leaves or branches which are likely to cause a scratch

stay out of the thorny brambles unless you want a ton of scratches

Synonyms & Similar Words

• jagged
• prickly
• scratchy
• brambly
• thistly
• rough
• coarse
• bristly
• burred

2

as in difficult

requiring exceptional skill or caution in performance or handling

the candidate tried to avoid discussing his views on the thorny issue

Synonyms & Similar Words

• difficult
• tough
• sensitive
• problematic
• complicated
• sticky
• knotty
• delicate
• tricky
• spiny
• touchy
• hairy
• prickly
• problem
• complex
• ticklish
• nasty
• serious
• tricksy
• hard
• painful
• dodgy
• catchy
• intricate
• troublesome
• vexing
• abstruse
• recondite
• abstract
• stubborn
• vexatious
• troublous
• worrisome
• involved
• scabrous
• inconvenient
• burdensome
• onerous
• oppressive
• stressful
• demanding
• exhausting
• importunate
• exacting
• discommoding

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• easy
• simple
• manageable
• uncomplicated
• straightforward
• painless
• effortless
• unproblematic
• undemanding

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of thorny

Ireland doesn’t shy away from the thornier aspects of recovery and the cruel ways that survivors can blame themselves. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2026

Aside from the bond tactic being a tried-and-true distraction in a thorny legal fight, even the son of one of the richest men in the world wants to hold onto that nearly $2 billion. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 15 Sep. 2026

But to do so overlooks the thrilling, genuinely thorny assertions contained in several of the season’s best films. — Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Singapore pays its political leaders high salaries to attract talent and deter graft, but the issue is thorny in the city-state, where the median wage worker made S$5,775 ($736) a month in 2025. — Reuters, NBC news, 9 Sep. 2026