as in difficult
requiring exceptional skill or caution in performance or handling
this promises to be a spiny problem to negotiate
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spiny
In addition to serving as a living mulch, the spiny hairs on squash leaves are thought to deter raccoons from stealing your sweet corn.
—
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2025
The spiny dogfish’s gestation period lasts about two years.
—Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 27 Mar. 2025
The tuatara of New Zealand, a spiny reptilian relic, can outlive generations of researchers studying it.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Though these prawns have spiny shells that are difficult to peel, the meat has a sweet taste like lobster, making this entree one of the eatery’s main attractions.
—Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spiny
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2025
The spiny dogfish’s gestation period lasts about two years.
—Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 27 Mar. 2025
The tuatara of New Zealand, a spiny reptilian relic, can outlive generations of researchers studying it.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Though these prawns have spiny shells that are difficult to peel, the meat has a sweet taste like lobster, making this entree one of the eatery’s main attractions.
—Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spiny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spiny
Adjective
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But the fact that Schwartzman, in his first film, was given the difficult task of stealing laughs away from a comedy legend, and so often succeeds in doing so, gives him the slight edge.—
Shannon Carlin,
Time,
30 May 2025
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These connections are difficult to make from within, but consultants are trained to see across boundaries.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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This is a time for doing the tough, often unglamorous job of making the city function for all New Yorkers.—
Scott Stringer,
New York Daily News,
3 June 2025
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When staring at twin suns like from much greater distances — many light-years away — astronomers have a much tougher time than young Skywalker in determining two stars from one.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
3 June 2025
Adjective
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Moreover, data tokenization or de-identification allows sensitive information (like PII or health records) to be replaced with non-sensitive surrogates, reducing risk without compromising analytics.—
Shinoy Vengaramkode Bhaskaran,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
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Tian also allegedly sent additional sensitive data on U.S. weapons systems.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins poked fun at Travis Kelce’s hairy back as a photo of the Kansas City Chiefs star went viral across social media last week.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
25 May 2025
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The visual of Molly’s head under a blanket and Guy’s two hairy legs dangling over the side of the bed is terrifically funny.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The unique gel texture sets into a lightweight veil that feels comfortable and stays put, so there’s no pillow staining or sticky residue.—
Marie Lodi,
Allure,
2 June 2025
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Neanderthals made and used wooden spears, cared for their fellow community members, made sticky tar and other adhesives, and butchered massive elephants, among other feats.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
2 June 2025
Adjective
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Hepburn’s thorny performance veers away from her typical sparkling ingenue presence toward something more brittle (watching Holly Golightly restrain herself from cursing out a precocious, irritating child delights).—
Gráinne O'Hara Belluomo,
Footwear News,
26 May 2025
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The relationship has long proved thorny due to strained political ties during the latter years of the reign of Zimbabwe dictator Robert Mugabe.—
Tristan Lavalette,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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Baltimore City Hall leaders acknowledged on Wednesday that squatting and social media networks potentially profiting from such activities are problematic.—
Gary Collins,
Baltimore Sun,
23 May 2025
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Some nutrients in sunflower seeds may be problematic if overconsumed.—
Cristina Mutchler,
Verywell Health,
23 May 2025
Adjective
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Since then, however, there have been new revelations in their complicated family dynamics.—
Jordana Comiter,
People.com,
3 June 2025
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But every one of those steps was much more complicated for abelian surfaces.—
Joseph Howlett,
Quanta Magazine,
2 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spiny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spiny. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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