prickly
adjective
prick·ly
ˈpri-k(ə-)lē 
pricklier; prickliest
1
: full of or covered with prickles
especially
: distinguished from related kinds by the presence of prickles
3
a
: troublesome, vexatious
prickly issues
b
: easily irritated
had a prickly disposition
prickliness
noun
Examples of prickly in a Sentence
The plant's leaves are prickly.
she tried to ignore the feel of the prickly grass against her skin
Recent Examples on the Web
Truly, despite their prickly differences, both Rhaenyra and Aegon can at least agree on one thing: War is coming.
—
Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2024
His gleeful, prickly cinema offers a jolting remedy.
—Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024
What can the rest of us learn from the prickly people in the world?
—Suzy Exposito, Vogue, 26 Mar. 2024
Meanwhile, Coyle and other experts are looking at the best ways to destroy the prickly invaders.
—Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2024
So the relationship was complicated and prickly and interesting and great.
—Hazlitt, 20 Dec. 2023
In some sense, that bitter, prickly sentiment feels more vulnerable than anything revealed on his latest album.
—Lindsay Zoladz, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024
Instead, the Canadians are front and center, and their easy, prickly affection proves palpable.
—Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 14 Mar. 2024
More:Read Derek Myers' full response to Enquirer questions 'Keep your nose out of my family'
Myers, 31, has been among the pricklier candidates aiming to succeed Wenstrup.
—Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, 12 Mar. 2024
Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2024
His gleeful, prickly cinema offers a jolting remedy.
—Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024
What can the rest of us learn from the prickly people in the world?
—Suzy Exposito, Vogue, 26 Mar. 2024
Meanwhile, Coyle and other experts are looking at the best ways to destroy the prickly invaders.
—Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2024
So the relationship was complicated and prickly and interesting and great.
—Hazlitt, 20 Dec. 2023
In some sense, that bitter, prickly sentiment feels more vulnerable than anything revealed on his latest album.
—Lindsay Zoladz, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024
Instead, the Canadians are front and center, and their easy, prickly affection proves palpable.
—Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 14 Mar. 2024
More:Read Derek Myers' full response to Enquirer questions 'Keep your nose out of my family'
Myers, 31, has been among the pricklier candidates aiming to succeed Wenstrup.
—Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, 12 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prickly.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near prickly
Cite this Entry
“Prickly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prickly. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prickly
adjective
prick·ly
ˈprik-lē
-ə-lē
pricklier; prickliest
1
: full of or covered with prickles
prickly plants
2
: marked by slight stinging or tingling
a prickly sensation
prickliness
noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share