thornier; thorniest
1
: full of thorns
2
: full of difficulties or controversial points : ticklish
a thorny problem
thorniness noun

Examples of thorny in a Sentence

stay out of the thorny brambles unless you want a ton of scratches
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.
Who exactly is going to be part of DOGE is a particularly thorny issue, because there are technically two DOGEs. Vittoria Elliott, WIRED, 24 Jan. 2025 Kevin Lamarque | Reuters As U.S. President Donald Trump looks to immediately fix his greatest political and economic bugbears, the thorny issue of NATO defense spending is likely to quickly return to the global fore. Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 23 Jan. 2025 But a network of colleagues within the same domain with a broad array of experiences and expertise can deepen learning and unlock solutions to thorny problems. Ann Kowal Smith, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025 On thorny issues, Rubio stressed that Trump would dictate the policies while offering hints at the direction the Republicans would go. Francesca Chambers, USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for thorny 

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of thorny was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near thorny

Cite this Entry

“Thorny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thorny. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

thorny

adjective
thornier; thorniest
1
: full of or covered with thorns
thorny rose bushes
2
: full of difficulties
a thorny problem
thorniness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on thorny

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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