THORNY Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

thorny

adjective

ˈthȯr-nē

Definition of thorny

as in jagged

having leaves or branches which are likely to cause a scratch stay out of the thorny brambles unless you want a ton of scratches

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

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.

Recent Examples of thorny In addition to training operators, the Pentagon will need to embed knowledgeable engineers, data scientists, and legal advisers to help senior military leaders navigate thorny issues relating to human-AI interaction on the battlefield. — Emelia S. Probasco, Foreign Affairs, 20 Aug. 2026 Connecting people with clinical trials is complicated — even if people identify a promising match, there’s a slew of potentially thorny factors, including geographic incompatibility, and financial and time considerations. — Michelle Andrews, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026 Solutions to the vehicle-to-everything (V2X) problem have to date relied on new networking protocols built from scratch—only to discover chicken-and-egg problems, thorny standards wars, and real signal congestion challenges at scale. — IEEE Spectrum, 20 Aug. 2026 The document provides an analysis for the thorny legal scenario in which a state prosecutor may pursue charges against a federal agent for alleged misconduct while on duty. — Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for thorny

Recent Examples of Synonyms for thorny

Adjective

Ragged, jagged or fluffy edges point to a Bristol Type 6 stool, meaning waste moved through the colon too fast for water to be absorbed properly.

— Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Nepal is a country of jagged, towering peaks with sheer slopes sweeping down to narrow valleys, cut through by powerful rivers.

— Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of jagged

Adjective

The losses linked to the demise of these groups are difficult to quantify, but participants and advocates say the impacts will reverberate across federal agencies for years.

— Katia Riddle, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026
Ground surveys can provide more detailed information at a particular site, but covering an entire subway corridor that way would be difficult.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of difficult

Adjective

Of course, even a D’Angelo scratch vocal makes for a pristine chorus, especially over a Dilla groove elegantly textured with prickly guitars and burbling marimbas.

— Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 25 Aug. 2026
New York City sanitation workers say their job has been pricklier than usual after the Department of Sanitation reported an increase in needle stick injuries.

— Noelle Lilley, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of prickly

Adjective

The war, and in particular Iran’s direct targeting of the Gulf, makes this approach a tough pill to swallow.

— Dina Esfandiary, Foreign Affairs, 27 Aug. 2026
The conversation shifted from tougher ordinances toward resource allocation and investing in third spaces, which are places outside of work, school or home.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of tough

Adjective

Those could include remote sensors, autonomous underwater vehicles and other equipment that requires persistent, low-visibility power in remote and sensitive offshore and coastal environments, as well as power resiliency for forward military bases.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 Aug. 2026
Musk’s officials infiltrated department after department, canceling contracts, firing employees, viewing sensitive data, and kneecapping programs related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as foreign aid.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of sensitive

Adjective

Medical uses Buprenorphine’s principal use is in the treatment of OUD, a chronic condition characterized by problematic opioid use despite harmful consequences.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
The Fire Center said in its update that those conditions could be problematic for firefighters.

— Carly Sauvageau, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of problematic

Adjective

Linney’s Guardian tries to draw out some resentment from her new candidate, but John expresses (or feigns) sympathy for Hal, who was betrayed by his father figure Sinestro, an experience John likens to his own complicated upbringing.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
She was steeped in the minutiae of a profoundly complicated culture.

— Everett Potter, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of complicated

Browse Nearby Words

thorns

thorny

thorough

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“Thorny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thorny. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of thorny

adjective

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