spinier; spiniest
1
: abounding with difficulties, obstacles, or annoyances : thorny
spiny problems
2
: covered or armed with spines
broadly
: bearing spines, prickles, or thorns
3
: slender and pointed like a spine
spininess
noun
Examples of spiny in a Sentence
this promises to be a spiny problem to negotiate
Recent Examples on the Web
Sea urchins are small marine invertebrates, characterized by their spiny bodies and found in oceans around the world.
—
Isabelle Rodney, CNN Money, 21 June 2025
Generally, deer don’t prefer plants that are fuzzy, highly aromatic, spiny, or spiky.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 7 June 2025
Binh’s spiny frogs were found near forest streams between elevations of about 1,000 to 2,500 feet, the study said.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 12 June 2025
Lurking in spiny armor below the waves, sea urchin is a luscious and briny delicacy.
—John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for spiny
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Isabelle Rodney, CNN Money, 21 June 2025
Generally, deer don’t prefer plants that are fuzzy, highly aromatic, spiny, or spiky.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 7 June 2025
Binh’s spiny frogs were found near forest streams between elevations of about 1,000 to 2,500 feet, the study said.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 12 June 2025
Lurking in spiny armor below the waves, sea urchin is a luscious and briny delicacy.
—John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for spiny
Cite this Entry
“Spiny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spiny. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.
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