as in headache
something that is a source of irritation
your constant questions are a thorn in my side
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Recent Examples of thorn
There’s Cactus, which got thorns stuck in its body; Sugar Baby, whose wings were destroyed from being drenched in sugar water; Jimmy, who fell out of a tree after its mother died; and Larry Bird, suffering from a back injury.
—
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Jan. 2025
Khan has also been a thorn in the side of PBMs that have come under scrutiny for reportedly helping to keep certain prescription drug prices high, including those of insulin products.
—Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
But Subreddits managed by users are both Reddit’s crown jewels and a thorn in the side of corporate interests, as demonstrated by the coordinated action taken last year in protest of changes to the platform’s API pricing structure.
—Mia Sato, The Verge, 13 Dec. 2024
That matters because battery life has been a thorn in the Pixel Watch’s side.
—Sheena Vasani, The Verge, 18 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for thorn
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Jan. 2025
Khan has also been a thorn in the side of PBMs that have come under scrutiny for reportedly helping to keep certain prescription drug prices high, including those of insulin products.
—Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
But Subreddits managed by users are both Reddit’s crown jewels and a thorn in the side of corporate interests, as demonstrated by the coordinated action taken last year in protest of changes to the platform’s API pricing structure.
—Mia Sato, The Verge, 13 Dec. 2024
That matters because battery life has been a thorn in the Pixel Watch’s side.
—Sheena Vasani, The Verge, 18 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for thorn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thorn
Noun
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The parasites' arrival in the central nervous system is often marked by a headache.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
13 Feb. 2025
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But the unusual dismissal order comes with strings attached that could cause continued legal headaches for Adams and put pressure on him to do more to help Trump’s administration with immigration enforcement, experts, including former federal prosecutors and judges, told the Daily News on Tuesday.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Finally, Paddington graduates from nuisance to pathfinder, from struggling to fit in to forging his own identity.—
Natalia Winkelman,
New York Times,
13 Feb. 2025
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What is known is that the area of the attack had been frequently monitored by animal control authorities as a problematic zone where one or more dogs have been reported as being a nuisance or possible danger to the public, dating back to February 2023.—
Noelle Alviz-Gransee,
Kansas City Star,
10 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Risk factors include a family history of asthma and exposure to irritants like tobacco smoke.9 Anxiety Anxiety is a feeling of intense worry.—
Sarah Jividen,
Health,
26 Jan. 2025
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Participants should bring water and snacks and wear long sleeves and pants to protect themselves from poodle-dog bush and other irritants in the area.—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The meeting created a lot of anxiety and frustration in the Ukrainian government, which is concerned about a U.S.-Russian deal behind Kyiv's back.—
Barak Ravid,
Axios,
16 Feb. 2025
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But as Dougherty Valley continued to miss shots, the frustration started to show.—
Nathan Canilao,
The Mercury News,
16 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Coated with a smoky-spicy rub and scored like a Sunday roast, the cream cheese absorbs the smoke at a low temperature, infusing with deep flavor.—
Giovanna Vazquez,
Southern Living,
5 Feb. 2025
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The flavors feature toasted oak, maduro tobacco, and Texas barbecue dry rub notes.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes,
21 Dec. 2024
Articles Related to thorn
Cite this Entry
“Thorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thorn. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.
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