thorny

adjective

ˈthȯr-nē 

thornier; thorniest

1

: full of thorns

2

: full of difficulties or controversial points : ticklish

a thorny problem

thorniness noun

Synonyms

• brambly
• prickly
• scratchy
• thistly

Examples of thorny in a Sentence

stay out of the thorny brambles unless you want a ton of scratches

Recent Examples on the Web

Either in an Elite Eight game that should be a Final Four game, or earlier in the especially thorny thicket that’s facing them as the lowest top seed? —Mirjam Swanson, Orange County Register, 16 Mar. 2025

Addressing the thorny topic of job retention, several speakers opined that some jobs will go away or change while new ones will emerge, but that AI still requires creatives. —Carolyn Giardina, Variety, 15 Mar. 2025

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, 6 Mar. 2025

Scientists at the center also work on two other increasingly thorny problems for South Florida parks: invasive species and impacts from climate change. —Jenny Staletovich, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for thorny

• corny
• horny

Kids Definition

thorny

adjective

ˈthȯr-nē 

thornier; thorniest

1

: full of or covered with thorns

thorny rose bushes

2

: full of difficulties

a thorny problem

thorniness noun