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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
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Recent Examples of thorny
Some of what gives The White Lotus its charge is the show’s insistence on pushing its characters into thorny erotic terrain.
—
Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2025
The decades-old refugee crisis has been central to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and was one of the thorniest issues in peace talks that last broke down in 2009.
—Joseph Krauss, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2025
And its provisions are likely to run into thorny legal issues given that state and regional authorities typically oversee power plant planning and permitting.
—Daniel Moore, Axios, 21 Jan. 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, 24 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for thorny
Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2025
The decades-old refugee crisis has been central to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and was one of the thorniest issues in peace talks that last broke down in 2009.
—Joseph Krauss, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2025
And its provisions are likely to run into thorny legal issues given that state and regional authorities typically oversee power plant planning and permitting.
—Daniel Moore, Axios, 21 Jan. 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, 24 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for thorny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thorny
Adjective
-
Located on the historic Santa Barbara plantation, the jagged limestone peak is accessible at four different points with routes up to 164 feet high (50 meters), depending on your athletic ability.—
Curaçao Tourist Board,
AFAR Media,
26 Feb. 2025
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The image teases both the film’s narrative developments and its jagged formal approach, as the director (who shares editing duties with both co-writer Karen Plata and DP Odei Zabaleta) aims to structurally replicate the non-linear disorder and occasional blind spots of ruptured childhood memories.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Stars of Durant’s stature can be notoriously difficult to pin down for interviews.—
Darnell Mayberry,
The Athletic,
23 Feb. 2025
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But breaking with Russian gas has been difficult for Austria, which until recently was one of a handful of European countries to keep importing the fuel by pipeline.—
Stanley Reed,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Old news, perhaps, but among Bayern’s transfer targets is — inevitably — Wirtz, which would involve a prickly negotiation.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
The Athletic,
13 Feb. 2025
-
Camille Cottin is a standout as prickly, voluble talent agent Andréa Martel, but the whole cast intermingles with enough chemistry and charm to make this one of the best workplace comedies of the last decade.—
Taylor Antrim,
Vogue,
31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
This all adds up to a tough investment outlook for any business looking at Ukraine’s mineral supply.—
Energy Innovation: Policy and Technology,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
-
How to Bet Timberwolves vs. Lakers Following up a game like Tuesday's would be tough for the Wolves under any circumstances, but with Edwards battling a calf injury and DiVincenzo potentially sidelined, beating the Lakers in L.A. will be that much more difficult.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Like linen, hemp is a strong fiber that can be a little bit scratchy.—
Kathleen Felton,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Nov. 2024
-
Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier: on sale for $39.99 Original price: $49.99 (Amazon) A humidifier can help with dry coughs, congestion, nose bleeds, itchy eyes and scratchy throats.—
Nora Colomer,
Fox News,
5 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
This question asks for personal sensitive information that is protected by privacy laws.—
Terry Parris Jr.,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2025
-
Many fractional leaders work across industries or sign non-compete agreements to avoid working with direct competitors, but companies must establish clear expectations to protect sensitive information.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes,
23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
While the courts may ultimately strike down the letter’s most problematic provisions, the damage to institutional autonomy and diversity efforts could be lasting.—
Scott White,
Forbes,
19 Feb. 2025
-
After a flurry of filings, including several unsuccessful attempts at dismissal, one problematic NBC News sit-down featuring the now middle-aged Jane Doe and other media duels, the whole matter was pulled on February 14 by the plaintiff with no explanation by Buzbee.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Although these big chip platforms are complicated to make, Nvidia can apply lessons learned from the Blackwell ramp to future product iterations.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
27 Feb. 2025
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With triads, one dropout will force you into more complicated rematching.—
Kevin Kruse,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Thorny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thorny. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.
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