as in headache
something that is a source of irritation
your constant questions are a thorn in my side
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Recent Examples of thorn
The Chargers have been a thorn in the Broncos’ side the past two seasons, and that was even true during a grinding win for Denver on Sunday.
—
The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Having dumped his bid for reelection this fall under a cloud of controversy related to his federal corruption indictment, Adams was a thorn in Mamdani’s side on his way out of public service, taking a number of actions in the past few weeks directly aimed at stymieing the new mayor’s agenda.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 1 Jan. 2026
The stubbornly high cost of shelter, which makes up about a third of inflation index readings, will continue to be a thorn in the sides of consumers.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 28 Dec. 2025
The Panthers defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 23-20, on Sunday in Bank of America Stadium — keeping their path to the playoffs as thorn-free as possible heading into Week 17.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for thorn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thorn
Noun
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The illness tends to come on abruptly, with symptoms including fever, sore throat, headaches and fatigue.—
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Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea.—
Noun
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An Orange County judge granted the city of Santa Ana’s request for a preliminary injunction against several businesses on East First Street accused of being public nuisances.—
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According to the American Mosquito Control Association, mosquitoes are not only a nuisance but also a public health concern, capable of carrying diseases like West Nile virus.—
Noun
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Another standout feature is its CertiPur-US and Greenguard Gold certifications, which mean it’s made without harmful materials and won’t release irritants that can trigger allergies.—
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Nearby, other agents fire chemical irritants into the ground to keep bystanders away, appearing to cause some people to cough, the video shows.—
Noun
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British officials downplayed the pause as temporary, insisting momentum would resume amid complex negotiations, but the impasse signals broader frustrations with Europe’s regulatory posture toward American innovation, market access, and economic sovereignty.—
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Emotions were on full display with many expressing sadness and frustration, not only over Wednesday's federal raid, but raids happening around the Twin Cities over the last 40 days.—
Noun
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The mascara, previously available only in black, holds up through long days spent staring at a screen, the occasional weary eye rub, and (believe it or not) raucous weddings.—
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The fieldwork covered 146 signposts in all, providing a broad look at 109 rubs and 37 scrapes across the forest.—
Cite this Entry
“Thorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thorn. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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