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
There’s the prickly one sporting a spiked collar and the wannabe cowboy twirling a lasso.
—
Ariel Bleicher, Quanta Magazine, 16 Apr. 2025
Lawrence will play Judge Stone, a former prosecutor known for his prickly attitude and tough sentencing.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 11 Apr. 2025
Our band, too, found ourselves on a prickly path to one of the most revered venues in the country.
—Ryan Miller, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2025
Presented between columns equipped with needle-like installations, the designer showed sultry, body-hugging looks with prickly prints and comfy, padded pieces.
—Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prickly
Ariel Bleicher, Quanta Magazine, 16 Apr. 2025
Lawrence will play Judge Stone, a former prosecutor known for his prickly attitude and tough sentencing.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 11 Apr. 2025
Our band, too, found ourselves on a prickly path to one of the most revered venues in the country.
—Ryan Miller, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2025
Presented between columns equipped with needle-like installations, the designer showed sultry, body-hugging looks with prickly prints and comfy, padded pieces.
—Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prickly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prickly
Adjective
-
There’s never been a more irritating trio of possible playoff opponents than Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler and Dan Hayes.—
Aaron Gleeman,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
-
Waking up to a bird squawking in the middle of the night– well that’s just irritating.—
Ella Gonzales,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
It is believed to reduce pain and inflammation, and has been used for treatment of back pain, high blood pressure, arthritis, migraines, and irritable bowel disease.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
4 Apr. 2025
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And even in what was a stilted match played in an increasingly irritable atmosphere, Rogers and Tielemans delivered with an assist each.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Join Our Other Game Discussions Want to be part of the conversation about New York Times Games, or maybe get some help with a particularly thorny puzzle?—
Deb Amlen,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Leather should not be used for potting plants in wet soil, while rubber gloves shouldn't be used for trimming a thorny rose bush.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Rust, a difficult movie to release, grossed $25k at 115 theaters, presented by Falling Forward Films.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
4 May 2025
-
Clematis wilt is a fungal infection that is difficult to treat.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
3 May 2025
Adjective
-
Her quirky sense of humor and passion for her career align with the zodiac sign Aries, whose fiery spirit can relate.—
Lisa Stardust,
People.com,
11 May 2025
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The fiery collision involved a tour bus and a Nissan SUV.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
11 May 2025
Adjective
-
Grok 3: The wind howled through the jagged spires of the Frostfang Reaches, carrying a chill that bit deeper than any blade, and Ser Willem Cray felt its teeth in his bones.—
Kelsey Piper,
Vox,
12 May 2025
-
For the next hour or so, several of them will summit various routes along the cliff's steep, jagged face.—
Sean Clancy,
Arkansas Online,
12 May 2025
Adjective
-
The Trump administration – with Musk and his aides as the tip of the spear – have roiled the federal government with mass layoffs and demands for access to sensitive information at agencies including the Social Security Administration and the National Labor Relations Board.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
3 May 2025
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Let the paste sit for 30 minutes. Rinse away thoroughly and repeat if necessary. Method 4: For Acrylic Tubs Acrylic tubs require specific cleaners because of how sensitive the material is.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
2 May 2025
Adjective
-
The group stops, and the cubs make several scratchy, high-pitched sounds.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2025
-
While lots of outdoor rugs are scratchy and rough, this one feels cozy and soft enough to spend time lounging on all summer long.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prickly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prickly. Accessed 18 May. 2025.
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