1
2
as in difficult
requiring exceptional skill or caution in performance or handling
the candidate tried to avoid discussing his views on the thorny issue
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of thorny
Coming on the heels of Josh and Lindsay’s touching exchange, this one feels too direct, not thorny enough.
—
Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
American companies are invoking national security and the need to compete with China in their dealmaking, posing thorny questions for antitrust regulators.
—Colin Campbell, semafor.com, 16 Apr. 2026
Throughout the construction, Tony, as chief scientist, played a critical role in tackling some of the thorniest research problems, pushing the boundaries of detector and survey design and transforming a bold idea into a flagship observatory.
—Risa Wechsler, Time, 15 Apr. 2026
Directed by Noah Baumbach and starring Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson, and Dern, the film follows a married couple going through an increasingly thorny divorce.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for thorny
Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
American companies are invoking national security and the need to compete with China in their dealmaking, posing thorny questions for antitrust regulators.
—Colin Campbell, semafor.com, 16 Apr. 2026
Throughout the construction, Tony, as chief scientist, played a critical role in tackling some of the thorniest research problems, pushing the boundaries of detector and survey design and transforming a bold idea into a flagship observatory.
—Risa Wechsler, Time, 15 Apr. 2026
Directed by Noah Baumbach and starring Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson, and Dern, the film follows a married couple going through an increasingly thorny divorce.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for thorny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thorny
Adjective
-
The plane hitting the water is destructive enough without the help of a jagged coral reef (improbably far from any coastline) slicing through the aircraft’s undercarriage.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Known for their jagged peaks, glacial lakes, and vast icefields, the Canadian Rockies are among the world’s most stunning mountain ranges, forming a natural divide between Alberta and British Columbia.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But with the Lightning taking back home-ice advantage with this win and the series shifting back to Tampa, where Cooper will have full control of the matchup, the task becomes that much more difficult for the Suzuki line.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Tornadoes are extremely difficult to see and confirm at night.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This is because squash plants produce prickly leaves and stems that rabbits dislike.—
Samantha Johnson,
Martha Stewart,
25 Apr. 2026
-
This Japanese type of juniper shrub forms a dense mat of prickly blue-green needles that turn slightly purplish in winter.—
Luke Miller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Lightly coated with oil and tossed occasionally in a searing hot skillet or wok, even tough beans turn silky, and ready to coat in a finishing blast of chiles.—
The Bon Appétit Staff,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 May 2026
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Comfortable travel can be achieved with stretchy, breathable pants, but securing a pair that hits those marks while looking stylish can be tough.—
Rachel Trujillo,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
It’s rightfully associated with fiber, but often wrongly assumed to be as scratchy as twine.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The Best Deals at the Quince Sale If your current towels are limp, scratchy, or just plain uninspired, Quince’s Turkish Classic Bath towels are an instant bathroom upgrade.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The ability to acquire land in fee simple is essential and, in many cases, the most effective and expedient way to protect sensitive landscapes, especially in rapidly developing areas.—
Susan Carr,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Eating large amounts or consuming them on an empty stomach may increase the likelihood of discomfort in sensitive individuals.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Some content creators are compensated, and this also creates problematic incentives in the system.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Apr. 2026
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That’s not just problematic for poorer communities but also for affluent suburbs like Cheshire that get sparse state funding.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But there are other factors that make calculating the distance of future Artemis missions a little complicated.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Considering the lack of answers from the private lab, Moore believes the hair sample is rootless, which makes identification way more complicated.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Thorny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thorny. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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