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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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of thorny
That could leave you or your heirs with a thorny financial mess and even the prospect of foreclosure.
—
Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 31 May 2025
Some have risked their lives and their livelihoods to cover thorny issues affecting their home countries.
—David Folkenflik, NPR, 21 June 2025
Expected to go on sale in North America this fall, pricing will be a thorny issue in the era of on-again, off-again, on-again tariffs.
—Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
He's been played since then by Thorsten Kaye, whose Ridge is apart of another thorny romantic entanglement with Rebecca Budig's Taylor Hayes.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for thorny
Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 31 May 2025
Some have risked their lives and their livelihoods to cover thorny issues affecting their home countries.
—David Folkenflik, NPR, 21 June 2025
Expected to go on sale in North America this fall, pricing will be a thorny issue in the era of on-again, off-again, on-again tariffs.
—Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
He's been played since then by Thorsten Kaye, whose Ridge is apart of another thorny romantic entanglement with Rebecca Budig's Taylor Hayes.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for thorny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thorny
Adjective
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In a profession that lives at the jagged edge of justice and humanity, showing up matters.—
Sonia Singh,
Rolling Stone,
10 July 2025
-
The end of the branch shows a smooth cut, but the bark layer has a jagged appearance.—
Tim Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
5 July 2025
Adjective
-
James is playing the final year of his contract at $52.6 million, which is a very difficult number for teams to pay.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 July 2025
-
Our models and expertise can sniff out the broad parameters, but the precise location and timing of moisture plumes, training (quasi-stationary rain cells), and forcing mechanism can be difficult.—
Marshall Shepherd,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2025
Adjective
-
His focus is Pinot Noirs and Riesling, which speaks volumes about his precision - those are two of the wine world’s most prestigious and prickliest grapes.—
Kate Dingwall,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
-
Dickinson gives us nonjudgmental access to the day-to-day existence of one among any number of unhoused addicts, while Dillane presents Mike with all the prickly edges of a societal reject.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2025
Adjective
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With one out, however, Ohtani was thrown at the plate trying to score from third on Pages’ chopper up the line — making an aggressive, but proper, read in a game in which the Dodgers had long before conceded that runs would be tough to come by.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 July 2025
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The tough part is deciding between a leather sofa or a plush number made with performance fabric.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
For every high-quality pair, there’s a dozen more with flimsy fasteners, scratchy fabric, and a poor fit.—
Sara Coughlin,
SELF,
2 July 2025
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Say goodbye to the scratchy feel and five o’clock shadow.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
23 June 2025
Adjective
-
This usually involves receiving a fake text, email or even a phone call designed to trick you into clicking a malicious link or sharing sensitive information.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
4 July 2025
-
The thundering crackles and sharp bangs of pyrotechnics can not only frighten dogs but also cause discomfort to their sensitive ears.—
Logan Holland,
People.com,
4 July 2025
Adjective
-
Storied but problematic luxury Italian sports carmaker Maserati is not for sale; yet.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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What really matters is Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s problematic language -- specifically, his casual gendering of the American B-2 bombing crews.—
Becket Adams,
National Review,
29 June 2025
Adjective
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That stark reality, Wood said, was part of what compelled him to write the book Among the lessons Wood discusses are the importance of healthy communication, the role of community support and the insights drawn from his own complicated relationship with his father.—
Essence,
Essence,
9 July 2025
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While these may seem a bit too complicated for children, the kit is specifically designed for budding engineers aged 8 to 14 and includes easy-to-understand, age-appropriate instructions.—
Anja Webb,
Parents,
9 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Thorny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thorny. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
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