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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
The thorny legal issue over who gets to distribute long-running game shows Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune has an update.
—
Peter White, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
The bloc’s landmark legislation known as the AI Act has proven particularly thorny for companies in the rapidly growing artificial intelligence industry.
—Ryan Browne, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2025
The former have overlapping flaps of smooth skin that is red, pink, magenta, or white and pulp that may occur in any of these colors, while the latter have a yellow, thorny skin and white pulp only.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 5 Apr. 2025
The thorny but true adoption story of Natalia Grace, a Ukrainian woman born with dwarfism, was still going through U.S. courts when Aufiero was casting the show.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for thorny
Peter White, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
The bloc’s landmark legislation known as the AI Act has proven particularly thorny for companies in the rapidly growing artificial intelligence industry.
—Ryan Browne, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2025
The former have overlapping flaps of smooth skin that is red, pink, magenta, or white and pulp that may occur in any of these colors, while the latter have a yellow, thorny skin and white pulp only.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 5 Apr. 2025
The thorny but true adoption story of Natalia Grace, a Ukrainian woman born with dwarfism, was still going through U.S. courts when Aufiero was casting the show.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for thorny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thorny
Adjective
-
The brown resurrection fern that grew thick along the jagged edges of the hollow was changing to a bright green right before her eyes.—
Lizz Schumer,
People.com,
1 May 2025
-
The jagged edges matched the pointed toes of her metallic silver stilettos.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The Whitecaps won games in Mexico, which is difficult to do.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2025
-
The longer-term outlook for Apple looks increasingly difficult to navigate, according to Bank of America.—
Brian Evans,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The book’s art director, Rita Marshall, had long admired Mr. Holland’s work, but she was put off by his famously prickly persona.—
Penelope Green,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
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Comments The handsome, prickly, and soulful Val Kilmer died from pneumonia on Tuesday after an 11-year struggle with throat cancer.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Published in English, Tehelka had a small circulation but an outsized reputation for tough investigations.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Four times, he’s used it to strikeout hitters, with the horizontal break being tough to pick up.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
This is often due to postnasal drip, which is when mucus from the nose and sinuses drains down the back of the throat, causing irritation and a scratchy feeling.—
Tribune Content Agency,
Mercury News,
3 Apr. 2025
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It’s made from a soft alpaca wool blend, which adds tons of warmth without feeling hot or scratchy.—
Anne Taylor,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
For those with sensitive skin, this formula is fragrance-, paraben-, and dye-free.—
Macaela MacKenzie,
Glamour,
24 Apr. 2025
-
Historically, he's been sensitive to them, but his focus seems more on pushing his agenda than chasing approval numbers.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
For years, Chicago Public School officials would send dozens of names of problematic employees to monthly board meetings for their dismissals to be signed off on.—
Nell Salzman,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Apr. 2025
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The Emilia Pérez star courted controversy after past problematic posts resurfaced.—
Joey Nolfi,
EW.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The Princess of Wales is coming off a very complicated year.—
Blanche Marcel,
Glamour,
28 Apr. 2025
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Admittedly, the show started to lose some momentum in later seasons as subplots and shifting relationships became more complicated.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
27 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Thorny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thorny. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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