1
2
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of thorny
Directed by Miguel Arteta from a razor-sharp screenplay by Mike White (THE WHITE LOTUS), remains a fascinatingly thorny character study and offbeat relic of early 2000s independent filmmaking.
—
Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 6 Mar. 2025
Either in an Elite Eight game that should be a Final Four game, or earlier in the especially thorny thicket that’s facing them as the lowest top seed?
—Mirjam Swanson, Orange County Register, 16 Mar. 2025
Addressing the thorny topic of job retention, several speakers opined that some jobs will go away or change while new ones will emerge, but that AI still requires creatives.
—Carolyn Giardina, Variety, 15 Mar. 2025
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?
—Deb Amlen, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for thorny
Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 6 Mar. 2025
Either in an Elite Eight game that should be a Final Four game, or earlier in the especially thorny thicket that’s facing them as the lowest top seed?
—Mirjam Swanson, Orange County Register, 16 Mar. 2025
Addressing the thorny topic of job retention, several speakers opined that some jobs will go away or change while new ones will emerge, but that AI still requires creatives.
—Carolyn Giardina, Variety, 15 Mar. 2025
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?
—Deb Amlen, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for thorny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thorny
Adjective
-
The lodge looked like a miniature in the shadow of the jagged mountains.—
Sophie Mendel,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Mar. 2025
-
Obviously, no one wants to go to a beach that’s covered in jagged space debris (or where such debris might rain down at any moment).—
Edward Woodson,
Orlando Sentinel,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
There are very big match-ups being played week in and week out in what is one of the most difficult leagues to play in on the planet, this means the big contenders will drop points more often than in some other leagues.—
Joseph O'Sullivan,
Forbes.com,
1 Apr. 2025
-
Generations of design successors have insisted that pie charts are difficult to read and even amount to optical informatic illusions, but we are still stuck with them.—
Mara Mills,
Artforum,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
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
Adjective
-
The opening weekend miss for what was a very buzzy Sundance title back in 2023 about a troubled but ambitious bodybuilder follows controversy around its star and comes at a tough time for indie films in general.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
23 Mar. 2025
-
As long as Flagg is on the floor, the Blue Devils will be a tough out.—
Tobias Bass,
The Athletic,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Typically lasting about a week, these include chronic cough, sneezing fits, runny nose, sinus pressure, headache, swollen lymph nodes, and hoarse (scratchy, raspy) voice.—
Mark Gurarie,
Health,
17 Mar. 2025
-
Some are snapshots — making paper airplanes, watching the Muppets, swimming in the ocean — while others more impressionistic: the smell of burning incense, the scratchy stubble on his father’s chin, the boney outline of his ankle, and the cold metal of his guitar strings.—
Jordan Runtagh,
People.com,
21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
The rise in interest rates and inflation could dampen the growth prospects of shale oil producers, particularly smaller companies that are highly sensitive to borrowing costs.—
Steven Dudash,
Forbes.com,
1 Apr. 2025
-
The business is also highly sensitive to energy prices and bitcoin price, two areas the president is able to influence through policy.—
Pete Gannon,
Axios,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
As the academic writing landscape evolves, EssayPro’s limitations have become increasingly problematic for students needing dependable assistance.—
Rowan Briggs,
Mercury News,
25 Mar. 2025
-
If that involves breaking the law, then that becomes problematic.—
Gary Phelan,
Hartford Courant,
24 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Getting out of bed early is less complicated than people think, according to Barrett.—
Michael Dorgan,
Fox News,
23 Mar. 2025
-
Truth is, the rules on early withdrawals are complicated and seem to be constantly changing.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes,
22 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Thorny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thorny. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share