as in headaches
something that is a source of irritation
your constant questions are a thorn in my side
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of thorns
Odor is a botanical defense mechanism as much as thistles and thorns.
—
Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 21 Mar. 2026
Get Tough Purchase ones made from cowhide, goatskin, or pigskin leather or abrasion-resistant canvas that will be harder for thorns to penetrate.
—Libby Monteith Minor, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2026
These thorns, known as dendrites, have been difficult to study and understand – until now.
—New Atlas, 13 Mar. 2026
According to Fried, songbirds especially like this tree's fruit, which is reminiscent of blackberries but without the seeds or thorns.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 11 Mar. 2026
Raspberry thorns are soft and fuzzy, and blackberry thorns are meaner and hook-shaped.
—Carl R. Gold, Baltimore Sun, 7 Mar. 2026
Lisianthus, sometimes referred to as the rose without thorns, is a favorite among florists and gardeners alike.
—Cori Sears, The Spruce, 5 Mar. 2026
As a bonus, currant shrubs lack the thorns found on many other berry bushes.
—Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Feb. 2026
Beyond the trees a fence of thorns.
—Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026
Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 21 Mar. 2026
Get Tough Purchase ones made from cowhide, goatskin, or pigskin leather or abrasion-resistant canvas that will be harder for thorns to penetrate.
—Libby Monteith Minor, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2026
These thorns, known as dendrites, have been difficult to study and understand – until now.
—New Atlas, 13 Mar. 2026
According to Fried, songbirds especially like this tree's fruit, which is reminiscent of blackberries but without the seeds or thorns.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 11 Mar. 2026
Raspberry thorns are soft and fuzzy, and blackberry thorns are meaner and hook-shaped.
—Carl R. Gold, Baltimore Sun, 7 Mar. 2026
Lisianthus, sometimes referred to as the rose without thorns, is a favorite among florists and gardeners alike.
—Cori Sears, The Spruce, 5 Mar. 2026
As a bonus, currant shrubs lack the thorns found on many other berry bushes.
—Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Feb. 2026
Beyond the trees a fence of thorns.
—Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thorns
Noun
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Treeline wants to rebuild corporate IT from the ground up, starting with the everyday headaches most workers barely notice until something breaks.—
Lily Mae Lazarus,
Fortune,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Authorities said Koc and Alshmari attacked the victim, causing a split lip and headaches.—
Madeline Bartos,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Lack of communication from airlines during disruptions is a major complaint from customers across carriers, and anything companies can do to alleviate that will help with those frustrations.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
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The poll suggests the financial pressure of increasing gas prices in the wake of the US attack on Iran has added to Americans’ financial frustrations.—
Kevin Liptak,
CNN Money,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The end of the hibernation period in spring brings new bat movement, which means more nuisances for homes with roosts.—
Caden Perry,
jsonline.com,
24 Mar. 2026
-
The Florida law shields shooting ranges, specifically, from being sued as nuisances.—
Christopher Spata,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
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There certainly are harmful chemicals, carcinogens, toxins, heavy metals, respiratory irritants and other things inside of there that certainly can cause immediate harm.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
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That's because these substances accumulate quickly in bedding and create an ideal environment for dust mites and other irritants.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Thorns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thorns. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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