as in difficult
requiring exceptional skill or caution in performance or handling
this promises to be a spiny problem to negotiate
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of spiny
English Holly The most popular type of holly seen during the holidays is English holly (Ilex aquifolium), distinguished by its spiny evergreen leaves in deep glossy green or green edged in gold.
—
Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Dec. 2024
Unlike the common carp, which has a long spiny dorsal fin and a whiskerlike barbel near its mouth, the white amur has a short dorsal fin with no spines.
—John Leos, The Arizona Republic, 30 Nov. 2024
These spiny mammals are members of the Erinaceidae family and date back approximately 15 million years ago.
—Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 6 Nov. 2024
Generally, deer don’t prefer plants that are fuzzy, highly aromatic, spiny, or spiky.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for spiny 
Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Dec. 2024
Unlike the common carp, which has a long spiny dorsal fin and a whiskerlike barbel near its mouth, the white amur has a short dorsal fin with no spines.
—John Leos, The Arizona Republic, 30 Nov. 2024
These spiny mammals are members of the Erinaceidae family and date back approximately 15 million years ago.
—Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 6 Nov. 2024
Generally, deer don’t prefer plants that are fuzzy, highly aromatic, spiny, or spiky.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for spiny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spiny
Adjective
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Simplifying Complexity Through Narratives Leaders often need to communicate complex strategies or concepts, which can be difficult for teams to fully grasp.—
Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio,
Forbes,
18 Jan. 2025
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The emotional weight of losing that independence is difficult to quantify, but its impact is profound.—
John Hope Bryant,
TIME,
18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Reporting Highlights Child Care Gap: About 70% of rural Illinoisans live in a child care desert, forcing tough choices on parents: Some drive 100 miles a day or more to find care, others leave the workforce.—
ProPublica,
ProPublica,
10 Jan. 2025
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Households are currently seeing significant reductions in their monthly electricity usage, resulting in cost savings—a big relief, especially in tough economic times.—
Chris Gallagher,
USA TODAY,
10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Allergies acting up: Homeowners who are sensitive to dust, pollen, or animal hair may notice their allergies acting up before anything else.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
18 Jan. 2025
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During the 2024 presidential campaign, as Musk embraced the Republican Party and then Trump, his pro-China views brought him into conflict with parts of the MAGA coalition, including on the sensitive topic of immigration.—
John Hyatt,
Forbes,
18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Meaning: Long-haired, hairy Origin: Latin Jorge This is the Spanish variation of the name George.—
Marilyn La Jeunesse,
Parents,
7 Jan. 2025
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The hairy animals also have long antennae, according to the study.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Concerns about the shape of the U.K. economy are mounting, with investors and businesses taking note of new fiscal policies that will see taxes and business costs rise, as well as weak economic data prints out of Britain and sticky inflation.—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
10 Jan. 2025
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The streak-free formula with coconut oil and lavender essential oil blend wiped the sticky mess away in less than a minute.—
Katherine McLaughlin,
Architectural Digest,
9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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This means tackling the thorny issues of four-year college costs and the overall value of college degrees with greater urgency.—
Jamie Merisotis,
Forbes,
15 Jan. 2025
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Access to television broadcasts has been a thorny issue for many fans of the Charlotte Hornets.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Dismantling problematic beliefs and cultural behaviors requires intentional efforts to build trust, foster innovation and align values.—
Thomas Lim,
Forbes,
14 Jan. 2025
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Now, a Kenyan company is turning the problematic plant into a bioplastic that could help with reforestation efforts.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN,
12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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After unsuccessful and complicated head coaching stays at Derby County, United, Birmingham City and now Plymouth, pundits have begun speculating where Rooney could end up next.—
Pablo Maurer,
The Athletic,
10 Jan. 2025
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Closing on a New Home: The final step of a real estate purchase can be the most complicated.—
Julie Lasky,
New York Times,
10 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near spiny
Cite this Entry
“Spiny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spiny. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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