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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
These thorny ethical conversations are increasingly happening, and not just around the topic of birth.
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O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 2 Jan. 2026
Since becoming the global managing partner of McKinsey & Company in 2021, Bob Sternfels has had to navigate a series of thorny challenges.
—Adi Ignatius, Harvard Business Review, 1 Jan. 2026
Thus begins a thorny relationship in which Jules plots vengeance, though their dynamic soon takes a fascinating turn.
—Ilana Gordon, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Dec. 2025
The thorniest negotiating issues still appeared unsettled following the White House meeting.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for thorny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thorny
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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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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But the ones that do get rewarded with a deep, meditative little cocktail, friendlier than a Toronto but still prickly with bitterness and stout with proof, a cocktail worth hunkering down with on these dark and interminable nights of January.—
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The Devil’s Rope Museum, housed inside what was once a brassiere factory, holds miles of the prickly wire, plus a section devoted to Route 66.—
Adjective
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This leads to families having to make tough decisions, said Cindy Kincaid, family caregiver program manager at Centralina Regional Council.—
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She's been amazing, a sort of brutal support, tough lover, very educational.—
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?—
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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Those costs, Adler said, include slowing down response times, increasing the number of computations and sometimes the model rejecting non-problematic requests.—
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The Sabres run into some significant issues down the lineup — upgrading the fourth line should be among Kekäläinen’s most pressing priorities between now and the trade deadline — but young centre Noah Ostlund has helped give Buffalo’s usually problematic fourth line some connective heft and floor.—
Adjective
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But, the good news is that cleaning shower grout isn't complicated.—
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So there are a lot of complicated emotions and a mixture of emotions happening, as well as gestures.—
Cite this Entry
“Thorny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thorny. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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