prick 1 of 2

noun

ˈprik How to pronounce prick (audio)
Definition of pricknext
1
as in puncture
a mark or small hole made by a pointed instrument the immunization shot left a prick on my arm that turned into a bruise

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in tingle
a sharp unpleasant sensation usually felt in some specific part of the body she felt a sharp prick when the nurse gave her the shot

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

prick

2 of 2

verb

as in to hole

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of prick
Verb
Alessia was pricked with five IVs, and none of them worked. — Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 27 Jan. 2025 The Palisades system soon became like a hose pricked a thousand times, its flow severely weakened. — Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2025 The dawn is fresh, the sharp air pricks our cheeks. — Jean-Philippe Toussaint, Harper's Magazine, 22 July 2024 The previous night, Audra McDonald hugged her during a scene and one of the many bobby pins in Woods’s wig pricked her head, making her bleed. — Dina Litovsky, Vulture, 13 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for prick
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prick
  1. puncture
  2. tingle
  3. hole
  4. ache
  5. bore
  6. pang
  7. prickle
  8. pain
Noun
  • Scheffler suffered a puncture wound to his right hand from a broken glass on Christmas night, requiring surgery.
    — Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Correction officers grabbed him, but the victim suffered puncture wounds to his face and arm, prosecutors said.
    — Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of puncture
Noun
  • That tingle of anxiety will become an old friend, and the feeling of having triumphed over fear will become equally familiar, if not more familiar, than the fear itself.
    — Essence, Essence, 25 Feb. 2025
  • Feeling that glimpse, at my luckiest moments, as an electric tingle racing the length of my spine.
    — Leath Tonino, Outside Online, 13 Jan. 2025
Definition of tingle
Verb
  • English added to that short list in Round 2, holing a shot from 181 yards.
    — Justin Ray, The Athletic, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Seven strokes behind with seven holes to play, Woods holes a 97-yard wedge for eagle on the 15th, and birdies two of the last three holes to win.
    — Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2025
Definition of hole
Noun
  • Dehydration contributes to headaches, body aches, dry mouth, and fatigue associated with hangovers.
    — Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Arising 4-6 weeks after exposure, common symptoms include sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, and head and body aches.
    — Mark Gurarie, Health, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of ache
Verb
  • On one hand, there's a series of boring meet-and-greets Fisk is obligated to make.
    — Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
  • And, as someone who tends to do everything by scratch and get bored easily, Duren seems to push herself and her new team a lot.
    — Kristin L. Wolfe, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
Definition of bore
Noun
  • Rosie O'Donnell encourages Americans to 'protect your sanity' Although the Emmy-winning host has been enjoying the warm reception from her Irish neighbors, O'Donnell also shared the pangs of homesickness she's been experiencing.
    — Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2025
  • There’s a romantic pang to these characters not quite reaching their full potential.
    — Grace Byron, Vulture, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of pang
Verb
  • There also may be discomfort, prickling, or an itching sensation at the site of the bite.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 4 Dec. 2024
  • People may also notice a discomfort, prickling or itching sensation at the site of the bite, the government agency said, adding that these symptoms can remain for several days.
    — Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 2 Dec. 2024
Definition of prickle
Noun
  • Symptoms are akin to getting the flu: body aches, fever, abdominal pain.
    — Rick Jervis, USA TODAY, 9 Mar. 2025
  • But the Heat remains without Alec Burks (lower back pain), Josh Christopher (G League), Nikola Jovic (broken right hand) and Dru Smith (left Achilles surgery) against the Bulls.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2025
Definition of pain

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Cite this Entry

“Prick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prick. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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