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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
Still, any gun training class will have to land on some key answers to thorny questions that will crop up from trainees.
—
Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025
Beyond genre, category placement decisions remain thorny, particularly when two romantic leads must decide whether to split the lead and supporting roles.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 25 Sep. 2025
Louisiana’s appeal concerns thorny questions over if it is entitled to end the court order under the Prison Litigation Reform Act.
—Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 24 Sep. 2025
The fate of TikTok became increasingly wrapped up in sweeping trade talks between Washington and Beijing that include strategically thorny topics like tariffs, microchips, rare earth minerals and China's export of chemicals used to make the synthetic opioid fentanyl.
—John Ruwitch, NPR, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for thorny
Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025
Beyond genre, category placement decisions remain thorny, particularly when two romantic leads must decide whether to split the lead and supporting roles.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 25 Sep. 2025
Louisiana’s appeal concerns thorny questions over if it is entitled to end the court order under the Prison Litigation Reform Act.
—Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 24 Sep. 2025
The fate of TikTok became increasingly wrapped up in sweeping trade talks between Washington and Beijing that include strategically thorny topics like tariffs, microchips, rare earth minerals and China's export of chemicals used to make the synthetic opioid fentanyl.
—John Ruwitch, NPR, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for thorny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thorny
Adjective
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Along the way, Juano offered bits of mountaineering history and recounted legendary first ascents of the jagged peaks surrounding us.—
Scott Yorko,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Oct. 2025
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Karst formations, a porous rock, stick out as jagged protrusions in between lush forest and provide plenty of places for small creatures to hide.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
For once, the bulk of the anger was directed not at Fosun — the investment group and majority shareholder – and the Molineux hierarchy who have conspired to deal Pereira a difficult hand, but at the head coach himself and his players.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
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Romancelandia’s social world, harnessed by its business-minded authors, may make its success exceedingly difficult to replicate.—
Rebecca Ackermann,
The Atlantic,
5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The environment can get prickly.—
Bryan Price,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
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Properly constructed, a Martinez is plush with Italian vermouth but still prickly with gin, enjoying the diamond-clarity of a Martini but with the silken luxuriousness of a Manhattan.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Lammens was perhaps fortunate to escape sanction then (Stuart Atwell booked the forward for diving), but this was a valuable occasion ahead of tougher tests, beginning at Anfield.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
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There will be some tough picking in there, but typically the predicting business gets a little easier in region play.—
Tyler Palmateer,
Nashville Tennessean,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Thousands of shining reviews tout the area rug’s durability, color saturation, and feel underfoot—a high-quality weave that’s soft without being scratchy.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
6 Oct. 2025
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Hailing from South East London, the 24-year-old introduced herself voice first — scratchy but honeyed, and impossible to ignore.—
Thania Garcia,
Variety,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Options may include topical corticosteroids or nonsteroidal immunomodulators, which are often used on sensitive areas or for long-term control.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Made without parabens, soaps or alcohols, the hypoallergenic wipes are great for all skin types, including sensitive skin.—
Christopher Murray
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The city has had too many scandals and problematic politicians who have not attached crucial sectors of our city.—
Miami Herald Staff,
Miami Herald,
8 Oct. 2025
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And most boys — 69% — also regularly see content promoting gender roles in problematic ways, such as posts suggesting girls prefer to date a particular kind of guy or use their looks to achieve their goals, according to the survey.—
Kara Alaimo,
CNN Money,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Moscow has denied involvement, and security analysts caution that attribution is complicated.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
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On a journey spanning four continents, the Kohlers will battle physical, mental and emotional exhaustion, navigate the complicated world of visas and hopefully break three world records in the process.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Thorny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thorny. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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