often attributive
1
2
: a woody plant bearing sharp impeding processes (such as prickles or spines)
especially
: hawthorn
3
: something that causes distress or irritation
—often used in the phrase thorn in one's side
4
: the runic letter þ used in Old English and Middle English to represent either of the fricatives \th\ or \t͟h\ and in Icelandic to represent \th\
Synonyms
Examples of thorn in a Sentence
your constant questions are a thorn in my side
Recent Examples on the Web
At times, the offense has looked so good that Sam Darnold is now the hottest free agent this offseason, while the defense has been a thorn in quarterbacks sides with Flores’ relentless blitzing (Minnesota leads the league in blitz percentage).
—
Austin Mock, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
The senior forward was a thorn in the Huskies’ side two years ago, before the ACL injury that claimed most of his 2023-24 season and, seemingly, much of this year as well.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 4 Jan. 2025
Fundraising is the backbone of many nonprofits' sustainability and often a thorn in their sides.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
Several rabble-rousers who were a thorn in the leadership’s side are leaving the House, including Reps. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.) and Bob Good (R-Va.).
—Filip Timotija, The Hill, 24 Dec. 2024
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Austin Mock, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
The senior forward was a thorn in the Huskies’ side two years ago, before the ACL injury that claimed most of his 2023-24 season and, seemingly, much of this year as well.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 4 Jan. 2025
Fundraising is the backbone of many nonprofits' sustainability and often a thorn in their sides.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
Several rabble-rousers who were a thorn in the leadership’s side are leaving the House, including Reps. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.) and Bob Good (R-Va.).
—Filip Timotija, The Hill, 24 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for thorn
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Cite this Entry
“Thorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thorn. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
thorn
noun1
: a woody plant bearing sharp processes (as prickles or spines)
especially
: hawthorn
2
: a sharp stiff process on a plant
especially
: a stem modified into a short, stiff, and leafless sharp point
3
: something or someone that causes distress or irritation
—often used in the phrase thorn in one's side
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