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
Bournemouth were on an 11-game unbeaten streak, rightfully lauded for their disruptive, physically intense style of play that has been the thorn in many sides this season.
—
Mark Carey, The Athletic, 3 Feb. 2025
There’s Cactus, which got thorns stuck in its body; Sugar Baby, whose wings were destroyed from being drenched in sugar water; Jimmy, who fell out of a tree after its mother died; and Larry Bird, suffering from a back injury.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Jan. 2025
Khan has also been a thorn in the side of PBMs that have come under scrutiny for reportedly helping to keep certain prescription drug prices high, including those of insulin products.
—Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
But Subreddits managed by users are both Reddit’s crown jewels and a thorn in the side of corporate interests, as demonstrated by the coordinated action taken last year in protest of changes to the platform’s API pricing structure.
—Mia Sato, The Verge, 13 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for thorn 
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Mark Carey, The Athletic, 3 Feb. 2025
There’s Cactus, which got thorns stuck in its body; Sugar Baby, whose wings were destroyed from being drenched in sugar water; Jimmy, who fell out of a tree after its mother died; and Larry Bird, suffering from a back injury.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Jan. 2025
Khan has also been a thorn in the side of PBMs that have come under scrutiny for reportedly helping to keep certain prescription drug prices high, including those of insulin products.
—Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
But Subreddits managed by users are both Reddit’s crown jewels and a thorn in the side of corporate interests, as demonstrated by the coordinated action taken last year in protest of changes to the platform’s API pricing structure.
—Mia Sato, The Verge, 13 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for thorn
Articles Related to thorn
Dictionary Entries Near thorn
Cite this Entry
“Thorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thorn. Accessed 8 Feb. 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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