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as in difficult
requiring exceptional skill or caution in performance or handling
the candidate tried to avoid discussing his views on the thorny issue
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of thorny
The thorny legal issue over who gets to distribute long-running game shows Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune has an update.
—
Peter White, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
The bloc’s landmark legislation known as the AI Act has proven particularly thorny for companies in the rapidly growing artificial intelligence industry.
—Ryan Browne, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2025
The former have overlapping flaps of smooth skin that is red, pink, magenta, or white and pulp that may occur in any of these colors, while the latter have a yellow, thorny skin and white pulp only.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 5 Apr. 2025
The thorny but true adoption story of Natalia Grace, a Ukrainian woman born with dwarfism, was still going through U.S. courts when Aufiero was casting the show.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for thorny
Peter White, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
The bloc’s landmark legislation known as the AI Act has proven particularly thorny for companies in the rapidly growing artificial intelligence industry.
—Ryan Browne, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2025
The former have overlapping flaps of smooth skin that is red, pink, magenta, or white and pulp that may occur in any of these colors, while the latter have a yellow, thorny skin and white pulp only.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 5 Apr. 2025
The thorny but true adoption story of Natalia Grace, a Ukrainian woman born with dwarfism, was still going through U.S. courts when Aufiero was casting the show.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for thorny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thorny
Adjective
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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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The Whitecaps won games in Mexico, which is difficult to do.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2025
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The transition can be extremely difficult for some.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The book’s art director, Rita Marshall, had long admired Mr. Holland’s work, but she was put off by his famously prickly persona.—
Penelope Green,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
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Comments The handsome, prickly, and soulful Val Kilmer died from pneumonia on Tuesday after an 11-year struggle with throat cancer.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Over the next two years, Muhammad rang up five more victories against progressively tougher competition.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
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On the other side, the Grizzlies had an even tougher time with Curry, who finished with 52 points on 16-of-31 shooting.—
Anthony Slater,
New York Times,
14 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
Adjective
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Companies frequently suffer data breaches, leaking large amounts of sensitive information.—
Vytautas Kaziukonis,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
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According to the air quality index, anything over 100 for pollutants and fine particulates in the air is considered unhealthy, especially for people who are sensitive to the effects of elevated levels of pollutants, including children and adults with pre-existing respiratory problems.—
Jon Haworth,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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For years, Chicago Public School officials would send dozens of names of problematic employees to monthly board meetings for their dismissals to be signed off on.—
Nell Salzman,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Apr. 2025
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Simon Callow is a new addition as a problematic billionaire funding Metropolitan Ballet Theater, as is David Haig, who plays its ailing artistic director.—
Emily Zemler,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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So, Tokyo’s fear of Trump is more complicated than meets the eye.—
William Pesek,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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The attention to detail allowed Ramsey to immerse themself into the complicated thoughts racing through Ellie’s head as Dina begins making her feelings about Ellie crystal clear.—
Adam B. Vary,
Variety,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Thorny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thorny. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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