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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
As Clay’s primary enforcer and the club’s sergeant-at-arms, ex-Marine Tig finds himself at the heart of countless thorny confrontations, pulled in opposing directions by his allegiance to Clay and Jax’s official authority.
—
Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Jan. 2026
Yet there is also the thornier issue of his relationship with FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who needed the backing of CAF’s 54 member associations — which make up more than a quarter of FIFA’s worldwide total — to ensure a third term in his own position.
—Simon Hughes, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026
My familiarity with Fyodor begins and ends with a high school reading of Crime and Punishment some 20 years ago, but this 11-minute onslaught of thorny, emotionally raw music provides all of the context necessary to understand those nearly 150-year-old words.
—Patrick Lyons, Pitchfork, 16 Jan. 2026
Abortion has been the thorniest issue throughout the whole process, negotiators said.
—Al Weaver, The Hill, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for thorny
Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Jan. 2026
Yet there is also the thornier issue of his relationship with FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who needed the backing of CAF’s 54 member associations — which make up more than a quarter of FIFA’s worldwide total — to ensure a third term in his own position.
—Simon Hughes, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026
My familiarity with Fyodor begins and ends with a high school reading of Crime and Punishment some 20 years ago, but this 11-minute onslaught of thorny, emotionally raw music provides all of the context necessary to understand those nearly 150-year-old words.
—Patrick Lyons, Pitchfork, 16 Jan. 2026
Abortion has been the thorniest issue throughout the whole process, negotiators said.
—Al Weaver, The Hill, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for thorny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thorny
Adjective
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Similarly, George Crumb’s 1970 Black Angels, composed in response to the Vietnam War, includes jagged marks that approximate the sound of helicopters.—
Olivia Giovetti,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
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Giles Deacon blue and green jagged stripe) as a base option.—
Stephanie Sporn,
Vogue,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Business leaders, of course, have their own interests and shareholders to serve, but Democrats can still protect the public interest while giving CEOs a seat at the table to reach pragmatic answers to difficult questions like these.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
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Activist groups say hundreds of people have been killed, though the true toll remains difficult to verify due to the internet blackout and tight state controls on information.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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But the ones that do get rewarded with a deep, meditative little cocktail, friendlier than a Toronto but still prickly with bitterness and stout with proof, a cocktail worth hunkering down with on these dark and interminable nights of January.—
Jason O'Bryan,
Robb Report,
3 Jan. 2026
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The Devil’s Rope Museum, housed inside what was once a brassiere factory, holds miles of the prickly wire, plus a section devoted to Route 66.—
Pam LeBlanc,
Southern Living,
3 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Going through a severe injury is probably the toughest thing an athlete can go through.—
DJ Siddiqi,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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More companies are dialing back flexible work schedules and mandating that employees return to the office part-time or full-time, forcing women into tough situations.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Finally, detergent and fabric softener residue left in the washer drum can redeposit on your clothes and leave the fabric feeling stiff and scratchy.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
25 Jan. 2026
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The soft inner lining keeps the toes warm but isn’t scratchy.—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
16 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The commission said the report overlooks other time-sensitive cases that don't require intake appointments.—
Tim McNicholas,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
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Cold conditions may damage or kill sensitive crops, plants, and vegetation if appropriate precautions are not taken.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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At supersonic speeds, this is incredibly problematic.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Jan. 2026
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Ignore areas that look problematic.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
25 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The city’s journey toward sustainability is complicated.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
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The near-perfect dish was simple and not overly complicated.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Thorny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thorny. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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