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
The Federal Trade Commission under Lina Khan was notoriously prickly with respect to tech deals, aggressively scuttling transactions in ways that frustrated even notable Democrat supporters like Reid Hoffman and Mark Cuban.
—
Ari Levy,jennifer Elias, CNBC, 18 Mar. 2025
And Important Most prickly people feel as if they aren't being heard.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2025
The designer teased that there will be sultry, body-hugging looks with prickly prints and comfy, padded pieces.
—Tianwei Zhang, WWD, 25 Mar. 2025
Zegler brings a fresh, prickly energy to the timeless character.
—Staff Author, EW.com, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prickly
Ari Levy,jennifer Elias, CNBC, 18 Mar. 2025
And Important Most prickly people feel as if they aren't being heard.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2025
The designer teased that there will be sultry, body-hugging looks with prickly prints and comfy, padded pieces.
—Tianwei Zhang, WWD, 25 Mar. 2025
Zegler brings a fresh, prickly energy to the timeless character.
—Staff Author, EW.com, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prickly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prickly
Adjective
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In place of intense (and potentially irritating) acids, Mediheal's Madecassoside Blemish Pads target breakouts and breakout-causing bacteria with anti-inflammatory powerhouses madecassoside and cica.—
Sarah Han,
Allure,
25 Apr. 2025
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As the protagonist/antihero, audiences meet everyone through his eyes (and imperious narration) — and in his view, most people are shallow and irritating, especially the residents of Madre Linda.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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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
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This stretch can worsen pain in people with back pain, very tight hamstrings, or irritable nerves.—
Aubrey Bailey, PT, DPT, CHT,
Verywell Health,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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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?—
Sam Corbin,
New York Times,
22 Apr. 2025
-
Despite a recent pause on some tariffs, Apple remains in a particularly thorny spot as Donald Trump's trade war spikes costs in the tech company's iPhone manufacturing hub, China.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The Whitecaps won games in Mexico, which is difficult to do.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2025
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The task for Denver tonight will be that much more difficult if Michael Porter Jr. (shoulder) is unavailable or limited.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Read Next World ‘Stocky’ creature with ‘fiery orange’ eyes found mating.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
17 Apr. 2025
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The sun is currently experiencing solar maximum, or the peak in its 11-year cycle, and as the sun becomes more active, researchers have observed increasingly intense solar flares and coronal mass ejections erupting from the fiery orb.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Boulders offer a jagged look For a rugged look, consider a retaining wall made from large boulders.—
Katherine McLaughlin,
Architectural Digest,
18 Apr. 2025
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All those letters are real, and all those jagged lines were the work of scissors.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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For those with sensitive skin, this formula is fragrance-, paraben-, and dye-free.—
Macaela MacKenzie,
Glamour,
24 Apr. 2025
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Historically, he's been sensitive to them, but his focus seems more on pushing his agenda than chasing approval numbers.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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It’s made from a soft alpaca wool blend, which adds tons of warmth without feeling hot or scratchy.—
Anne Taylor,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Apr. 2025
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Allergic reactions can include a scratchy throat, watery eyes, itchy skin, runny nose, and sneezing.—
Paul Smaglik,
Discover Magazine,
7 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prickly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prickly. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
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