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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
But on the issue of fear, the studio exec did address the thorny issue of artificial intelligence.
—
Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 9 June 2025
These include infidelities, unspoken longings, and thorny questions of land inheritance.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
And the durable, water-repellent, quick-dry fabric has thus far shrugged off light snowfall, summer squalls, poison ivy, and even thorny underbrush.
—The Editors, Outside Online, 30 May 2025
In his first inaugural address in 1933, former President Franklin D. Roosevelt laid out a political axiom that would come to shrewdly diagnose America's thorny brand of insularity.
—Clare Morell, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for thorny
Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 9 June 2025
These include infidelities, unspoken longings, and thorny questions of land inheritance.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
And the durable, water-repellent, quick-dry fabric has thus far shrugged off light snowfall, summer squalls, poison ivy, and even thorny underbrush.
—The Editors, Outside Online, 30 May 2025
In his first inaugural address in 1933, former President Franklin D. Roosevelt laid out a political axiom that would come to shrewdly diagnose America's thorny brand of insularity.
—Clare Morell, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for thorny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thorny
Adjective
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When Squid Game first flung us into its arena of despair, questioning the status quo was the series’ fuel, and its narrative rhythm had the jagged urgency of that initial run of Red Light, Green Light.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
27 June 2025
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Another photo features a marshal with a long-range precision rifle mounted on a bipod, stationed on jagged ground with dramatic peaks in the backdrop.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
24 June 2025
Adjective
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This moderately difficult, half-mile trail through the Mission Hills Open Space, is located across from Pioneer Park.—
Maura Fox,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 June 2025
-
Attorney Nicole Blank Becker, who represents R. Kelly, told Fox News Digital that jurors, just like anyone else, have a difficult time separating emotions from charges.—
Tracy Wright , Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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And my body is stinging as prickly flares of embarrassment radiate from my ribs.—
A'Lelia Bundles
June 11,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2025
-
The role of the unions in all this is prickly, powerful and not always benign.—
Elizabeth Glazer,
New York Daily News,
18 May 2025
Adjective
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Even these young players already have major tournament experience — a huge strength given their tough group.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
28 June 2025
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Nor is anything that tough necessary to prevent chronic illness.—
Carolyn Rosenblatt,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
Say goodbye to the scratchy feel and five o’clock shadow.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
23 June 2025
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This one attaches easily to your carry-on and spares you from those scratchy airline blankets.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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With the hot and humid conditions, ozone levels will become unhealthy for sensitive groups (people with lung disease, young children, older adults, etc.).—
Joe Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 June 2025
-
The observatory’s mirror design, sensitive camera and telescope speed are all the first of its kind, enabling Rubin to spot tiny, faint objects such as asteroids.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
23 June 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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Many of the children have trauma and complicated needs, and one of the responses may be to run away.—
Ginny Monk,
Hartford Courant,
27 June 2025
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And the touchscreen, although not the quickest, wasn’t overly complicated either.—
Matthew MacConnell,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Thorny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thorny. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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