prickly

adjective

prick·​ly ˈpri-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce prickly (audio)
pricklier; prickliest
1
: full of or covered with prickles
especially : distinguished from related kinds by the presence of prickles
2
: marked by prickling : stinging
a prickly sensation
3
a
: troublesome, vexatious
prickly issues
b
: easily irritated
had a prickly disposition
prickliness noun

Examples of prickly in a Sentence

The plant's leaves are prickly. she tried to ignore the feel of the prickly grass against her skin
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Our relationship is a prickly rope of pride, pain, shame, gratitude, jealousy, admiration and disappointment. Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 5 June 2025 Keller resists going too quirky with his characters, locating humor instead in the sometimes prickly, often playful exchanges between them, and pathos in their genuine care and concern for one another. Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 3 June 2025 Weeding out young thistles by hand and applying herbicides at the right time of year are most effective for getting rid of this prickly weed. Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 June 2025 By Zak Cheney-Rice book review 7:00 a.m. Susan Choi Is Still Outlandishly Talented A father’s disappearance, and the black hole of uncertainty surrounding it, are the subject of her prickly new novel. Britina Cheng, Vulture, 1 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for prickly

Word History

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of prickly was in 1578

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Prickly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prickly. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

prickly

adjective
prick·​ly ˈprik-lē How to pronounce prickly (audio)
-ə-lē
pricklier; prickliest
1
: full of or covered with prickles
prickly plants
2
: marked by slight stinging or tingling
a prickly sensation
prickliness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on prickly

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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