prickly
adjective
prick·ly
ˈpri-k(ə-)lē 
pricklier; prickliest
1
: full of or covered with prickles
especially
: distinguished from related kinds by the presence of prickles
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
To many observers’ surprise, a prickly challenge that stymied city leaders a year ago ended in harmony, with a settlement seemingly favorable both to the city and to the elderly residents of Baldwin House.
—
Bill Laytner, Detroit Free Press, 19 Nov. 2024
That prickly sense of anxiety, constantly reading the tea leaves as a matter of survival, is just part of the ecosystem, like the blistering summer heat.
—Karen D'souza, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
Wyler has a prickly connection with her almost-ex-husband and a heavy flirtation with the British foreign secretary Austin Dennison (David Gyasi), and the series jumps between these plot drivers to generate tension.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024
The ingredient’s instantly recognizable prickly sensation activates on the tongue, electrifying our experience of any dish, savory or sweet.
—Megan Zhang, Saveur, 13 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for prickly 
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Bill Laytner, Detroit Free Press, 19 Nov. 2024
That prickly sense of anxiety, constantly reading the tea leaves as a matter of survival, is just part of the ecosystem, like the blistering summer heat.
—Karen D'souza, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
Wyler has a prickly connection with her almost-ex-husband and a heavy flirtation with the British foreign secretary Austin Dennison (David Gyasi), and the series jumps between these plot drivers to generate tension.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024
The ingredient’s instantly recognizable prickly sensation activates on the tongue, electrifying our experience of any dish, savory or sweet.
—Megan Zhang, Saveur, 13 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for prickly
Dictionary Entries Near prickly
Cite this Entry
“Prickly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prickly. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prickly
adjective
prick·ly
ˈprik-lē
-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
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