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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of thorny
The rise of hypereffective weight-loss drugs has also raised some important—and thorny—ethical questions.
—
Bethany Brookshire, Scientific American, 6 Feb. 2026
In a jean jacket and black dress, Savannah Guthrie walked through prickly pear cactus fields, even pausing to poke the thorny plants.
—Chris Kenning, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
The series is sprawling, politically thorny, ambitious storytelling that earns its many shades of grey.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Jan. 2026
While Latin America, the United Kingdom and Middle East have all had positive market share gains, challenges in other key markets are proving thornier.
—Jenny B. Fine, Footwear News, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for thorny
Bethany Brookshire, Scientific American, 6 Feb. 2026
In a jean jacket and black dress, Savannah Guthrie walked through prickly pear cactus fields, even pausing to poke the thorny plants.
—Chris Kenning, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
The series is sprawling, politically thorny, ambitious storytelling that earns its many shades of grey.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Jan. 2026
While Latin America, the United Kingdom and Middle East have all had positive market share gains, challenges in other key markets are proving thornier.
—Jenny B. Fine, Footwear News, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for thorny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thorny
Adjective
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The sidewalks were already frozen slick early in December, and my body was rigid from the jagged cold.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Kimberley Alpine Resort is surrounded by jagged peaks, and its car-free downtown feels like a snow globe, complete with a quaint look and quiet atmosphere.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The voracious reader said that the best books, those that brought him happiness, were not the ones that ease our way in this strange and difficult world.—
Noah Goldberg,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
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Local farmers work long hours, often under difficult conditions, to ensure our food supply remains steady.—
Joe Dymek,
Baltimore Sun,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Trapped in a prickly relationship with a cactus, his life changes overnight when Swift sprays herself with Opalite and is magically transported into his living room.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Surrounded by vast desert, the long and windy road that leads to Nancy Guthrie’s home in the Catalina Foothills is dotted with prickly cacti and attractive houses.—
Amanda Musa,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Takaichi has proposed tougher policies on immigration and foreigners, something that resonates with a growing frustration in Japan.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Bryant was tough to stop and scored nine of her 23 points in the first quarter.—
Justin Vigil Zuniga,
Daily News,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Our eyes are itchy, our throats are scratchy, our nose is runny, our head is pounding with congestion.—
Nicole Villalpando,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
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Your throat might feel dry and scratchy; maybe your muscles start to feel tight muscles.—
Katharine Gammon,
Time,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Thus, the article stressed that the Chinese navy must urgently address these risks, offering an unusually detailed proposal for a systematic crash-response plan, drawing lessons from US Navy salvage practices to improve readiness and protect sensitive technology.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Feb. 2026
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The Skechers Aero Razor harnesses the explosive benefits of superfoam while maintaining a sensitive, stable ride.—
Cory Smith,
Outside,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The actress recently opened up about some of the problematic advice she's received over the years, as well as the shocking suggestion that led her to fire an agent, during a conversation with Eddie Muller at the TCM Classic Film Festival New York Pop-Up.—
Sharareh Drury,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Feb. 2026
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Inzunza said the lack of clear policies is problematic.—
Walker Armstrong,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Mladenov, a Bulgarian diplomat, as the director-general of the board meant to oversee the implementation of the second and far more complicated phase of the ceasefire.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
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If simple, prefabricated asymmetric carbon fibers can act as tiny actuators, engineers may not need complicated coatings or redesigns to build micro-scale devices.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Thorny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thorny. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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