often attributive
1
2
: a woody plant bearing sharp impeding processes (such as prickles or spines)
especially
: hawthorn
3
: something that causes distress or irritation
—often used in the phrase thorn in one's side
4
: the runic letter þ used in Old English and Middle English to represent either of the fricatives \th\ or \t͟h\ and in Icelandic to represent \th\
Examples of thorn in a Sentence
your constant questions are a thorn in my side
Recent Examples on the Web
So the duo switches gears to discuss a murder instead, with Carolyn continuing to be a thorn in Dani’s side, ixnaying every name that’s brought up in the turret.
—
Nick Caruso, TVLine, 20 Feb. 2025
In addition, cane wounds caused by the thorns on crossing canes allow fungal pathogens to enter the cane, which can open the plant up to cane disease.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Jan. 2025
Navalny was a thorn in Putin’s side, exposing corruption in high places and orchestrating some of the biggest anti-government protests seen in recent years.
—Anna Cooban, CNN, 16 Feb. 2025
The lesser prairie chicken, which was listed in 2023, is similarly a thorn in the side of many Republicans lawmakers.
—Benji Jones, Vox, 10 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for thorn
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Nick Caruso, TVLine, 20 Feb. 2025
In addition, cane wounds caused by the thorns on crossing canes allow fungal pathogens to enter the cane, which can open the plant up to cane disease.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Jan. 2025
Navalny was a thorn in Putin’s side, exposing corruption in high places and orchestrating some of the biggest anti-government protests seen in recent years.
—Anna Cooban, CNN, 16 Feb. 2025
The lesser prairie chicken, which was listed in 2023, is similarly a thorn in the side of many Republicans lawmakers.
—Benji Jones, Vox, 10 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for thorn
Articles Related to thorn
Cite this Entry
“Thorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thorn. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
thorn
noun1
: a woody plant bearing sharp processes (as prickles or spines)
especially
: hawthorn
2
: a sharp stiff process on a plant
especially
: a stem modified into a short, stiff, and leafless sharp point
3
: something or someone that causes distress or irritation
—often used in the phrase thorn in one's side
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share