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as in difficult
requiring exceptional skill or caution in performance or handling
the candidate tried to avoid discussing his views on the thorny issue
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of thorny
The thorny question is often referred to as the human ceiling assumption.
—
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
Battle damage assessment remained a thorny problem decades later, even after radical improvements in surveillance technology.
—Joshua Rovner, The Conversation, 2 July 2025
On a subconscious level, music was a way for her to be understood — a tool to translate the emotions that were too thorny, too big to communicate in regular conversation.
—Cat Cardenas, Rolling Stone, 30 June 2025
The Medicaid issue has been a thorny one for the GOP, dividing the party.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for thorny
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
Battle damage assessment remained a thorny problem decades later, even after radical improvements in surveillance technology.
—Joshua Rovner, The Conversation, 2 July 2025
On a subconscious level, music was a way for her to be understood — a tool to translate the emotions that were too thorny, too big to communicate in regular conversation.
—Cat Cardenas, Rolling Stone, 30 June 2025
The Medicaid issue has been a thorny one for the GOP, dividing the party.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for thorny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thorny
Adjective
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In a profession that lives at the jagged edge of justice and humanity, showing up matters.—
Sonia Singh,
Rolling Stone,
10 July 2025
-
The end of the branch shows a smooth cut, but the bark layer has a jagged appearance.—
Tim Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
5 July 2025
Adjective
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James is playing the final year of his contract at $52.6 million, which is a very difficult number for teams to pay.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 July 2025
-
Our models and expertise can sniff out the broad parameters, but the precise location and timing of moisture plumes, training (quasi-stationary rain cells), and forcing mechanism can be difficult.—
Marshall Shepherd,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2025
Adjective
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With a prickly bubble, Fever Tree leapt to the top of our tasters’ lists almost immediately.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
14 July 2025
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Season 7, released in April, continued the show’s prickly use of digital avatars and machine learning as plot devices for stories about moviemaking, video games and even attending a funeral.—
Omar L. Gallaga,
Los Angeles Times,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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Morton, 43, may take that advice under serious consideration, mentioning how tough the fans – and even fellow cast members – have been on her following this past season’s cast trip to Grenada.—
John Lawson,
Essence,
9 July 2025
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But after rookie third baseman Ronny Mauricio made an exceptionally tough double play to end a two-on, one-out threat in the bottom of the eighth, there was no way the Mets were losing.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
9 July 2025
Adjective
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For every high-quality pair, there’s a dozen more with flimsy fasteners, scratchy fabric, and a poor fit.—
Sara Coughlin,
SELF,
2 July 2025
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Say goodbye to the scratchy feel and five o’clock shadow.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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This usually involves receiving a fake text, email or even a phone call designed to trick you into clicking a malicious link or sharing sensitive information.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
4 July 2025
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The thundering crackles and sharp bangs of pyrotechnics can not only frighten dogs but also cause discomfort to their sensitive ears.—
Logan Holland,
People.com,
4 July 2025
Adjective
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This is especially problematic because compensation in financial services is reliant on bonuses, commissions and decision-making power and these rewards don’t often trickle down.—
Sughnen Yongo,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
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For Gathegi, the shocking moment underscored age-old problematic tropes.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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That stark reality, Wood said, was part of what compelled him to write the book Among the lessons Wood discusses are the importance of healthy communication, the role of community support and the insights drawn from his own complicated relationship with his father.—
Essence,
Essence,
9 July 2025
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While these may seem a bit too complicated for children, the kit is specifically designed for budding engineers aged 8 to 14 and includes easy-to-understand, age-appropriate instructions.—
Anja Webb,
Parents,
9 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Thorny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thorny. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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