1
2
as in irritable
easily irritated or annoyed
she dreaded having to deal with her prickly boss
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
4
as in difficult
requiring exceptional skill or caution in performance or handling
a prickly issue that will outrage at least one special interest if not handled delicately
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of prickly
These two adults have a prickly chemistry.
—
Judy Berman, Time, 26 Dec. 2025
Tension between Ebro’s performative bullishness and the evolving face of rap led to prickly radio theater.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
Gehry then pulled out a pair of scissors, cutting up a pricklier shape, like a strange crown.
—Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 12 Dec. 2025
At a distance many of these plants appear fluffy, with a bushiness that upon closer inspection reveals hundreds, likely thousands, of prickly spines.
—Von Diaz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prickly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prickly
Adjective
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What an irritating phrase, Helen thinks.—
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Many of us suffer from skin problems, chapped lips, or an irritating cough when the air is too dry.—
Adjective
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Some of the consequences of owing your body sleep are readily apparent, like feeling drowsy, irritable, or brain-foggy, or catching seemingly every virus.—
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Accompanying Rayner through these daily adventures were the irritable duck Chelveston (named after his English bomber base) and the gentle dog puppet Cuddly Dudley.—
Adjective
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Solving the energy and water issues, and then convincing the public, are thorny problems.—
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Advertisement The United Nations still plays an important role as a neutral third party or referee in resolving thorny international disputes but its role in peace-making and mediation has diminished significantly.—
Adjective
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Jens generally chooses his words carefully, and is, what’s more, particularly reticent just after finishing a long and difficult winter delivery trip; what’s a person supposed to do with words in a blizzard anyway, up on a stormy heath and all directions lost?—
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In his first start in the wake of Beau Pribula’s significant injury, Zollers walked into a difficult situation, and his stat line reflected it.—
Adjective
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Maduro’s predecessor, the fiery Hugo Chávez, elected in 1998, expanded social services, including housing and education, thanks to the country’s oil bonanza, which generated revenues estimated at some $981 billion between 1999 and 2011 as crude prices soared.—
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White cast-iron chairs are perfectly positioned on a terrace to catch Stromboli’s volcanic smoke-show, and occasional fiery belch, in the distance over a lazy cocktail.—
Adjective
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The site was chosen for its abundant sunshine, spring water, mountain air, and views of the jagged Odle massif, which is framed by picture windows in all 62 minimalist suites.—
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Police shot and killed a patient armed with the jagged shard of a broken toilet seat inside Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn on Thursday, law enforcement sources told the Daily News.—
Adjective
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The commission said the report overlooks other time-sensitive cases that don't require intake appointments.—
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Cold conditions may damage or kill sensitive crops, plants, and vegetation if appropriate precautions are not taken.—
Adjective
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Allergies are typically marked by itchy, watery eyes, scratchy throat, sneezing, running nose and a cough.—
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By Kathleen Felton For The Washington Post Woke up to a sore, scratchy throat?—
Cite this Entry
“Prickly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prickly. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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