as in to pierce
to cause or experience an unpleasant feeling that is like the feeling of having many small, sharp points against your skin
The burrs were prickling my arm. The wool sweater prickled my skin.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of prickle
Katie Hafner, Scientific American, 19 Sep. 2024
This may lead to symptoms such as seizures, muscle spasms and contractions, and paresthesia (the sensation of prickling, burning, or tingling in the skin).
—Laura Schober, Health, 3 Sep. 2024
Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2021
The hairs on the back of our neck prickle.
—Christie Wilcox, Discover Magazine, 13 June 2012
See All Example Sentences for prickle
Verb
To start, paresthesia – a sensation of prickling or burning or numbness.
—Noun
My skin got that proper prickle.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for prickle
Verb
-
Sprinkle salt and pepper on and toss until the spears are lightly coated in oil. Spread them out in a single layer on the pan. Bake just until the base of a stalk is easily pierced.—
-
Bake just until the base of a stalk is easily pierced.—
Noun
-
The wasps’ strange abdomens each had three flaps with small spikes and trigger hairs, similar to the motion-detecting hairs on a Venus flytrap.—
-
The gray bars represent recessions and as the federal government doesn’t tend to lay people off as many private employers do in difficult times, temporary upward spikes are understandable as the denominator of the ratio shrinks, making the resulting fraction larger.—
Verb
-
Mary Fowler momentarily looks down and holds up a very neat yellow square of knitting to the camera, two wooden needles poking out either side.—
-
During the incident, Konig also allegedly attempted to poke the woman with two syringes, Hawaii News Now reported, citing law enforcement sources.—
Noun
-
The two men traded barbs for a few weeks afterward, but both appear to have moved on.—
-
Smith and James traded barbs in separate media appearances throughout the week.—
Verb
-
With very little time left in the season, how the Lakers respond to Thursday’s stinging defeat could have a significant impact on their playoff outlook.—
-
Bruce was badly bruised by experiences at Newcastle and West Brom, the two jobs that preceded Blackpool where personal criticisms stung.—
Noun
-
At varying points, Ukraine adopted parts of NATO warfighting strategy, only to run into snags or revert to the more familiar, Soviet-style tactics.—
-
Yes, and: The budget, property tax relief and health care costs — all priority issues heading into session — are hitting snags that likely won't get worked out this week.—
Verb
-
In the video, baby Sofia can be seen giggling in her bouncer as Ree sings, plays and tickles her, as well as kissing the happy infant, who looks cute in a floral sleeper.—
-
Cinderella is the sort of thing that Blanchett can do very well, but that becomes part of the problem: You’re tickled, but never quite surprised.—
Noun
-
Arriving for a recent elephant seal tour at Año Nuevo State Park north of Santa Cruz, Stefanie Arriola, of Los Gatos, pulled up in the parking lot with her 4-year-old son, Ernie, and a sticker of Toothless on her car window.—
-
Dutiful wives and relatives leave their belongings in fancy lockers adorned with stickers of fruits, while each of their visits takes place behind colorful doors.—
Cite this Entry
“Prickle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prickle. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share