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 Predictably, not everyone enjoys dealing with prickly neighbors — or any neighbors, for that matter. Keith Wagstaff, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2024 Farther south, roads and neighborhoods in Eagle Mountain were also flooded by the prickly debris. Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2024 Expansion has been a prickly subject there since the institute opened in the early 1960s. Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Mar. 2024 But what has made this prickly predator so successful? Scott Travers, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 This prickly paradox lies at the heart of their dynamic — one with an undercurrent of paternal disconnect and disapproval — and complicates it at every turn. Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 23 Feb. 2024 Cooper and a friend, farmhand Jen Beal, rushed to the site, but both quickly realized the task was a pricklier fight. Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Feb. 2024 Emma’s stubborn determination to resist her own lust and get to know Dexter as a person is played to perfection by the 29-year-old Mod—equally prickly and darkly funny. Kerensa Cadenas, Vogue, 7 Feb. 2024 Still mourning her mother’s murder, Lisa struggles to fit in with her prickly new stepmother (Carla Gugino) and popular stepsister (Liza Soberano). Sonia Rao, Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prickly.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of prickly was in 1578

Dictionary Entries Near prickly

Cite this Entry

“Prickly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prickly. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

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

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