prickly
adjective
prick·ly
ˈpri-k(ə-)lē 
pricklier; prickliest
1
: full of or covered with prickles
especially
: distinguished from related kinds by the presence of prickles
3
a
: troublesome, vexatious
prickly issues
b
: easily irritated
had a prickly disposition
prickliness
noun
Examples of prickly in a Sentence
The plant's leaves are prickly.
she tried to ignore the feel of the prickly grass against her skin
Recent Examples on the Web
It’s abandoned now and has fallen into disrepair, with broken slats on the wood steps and prickly bushes growing over the front porch.
—
Melinda Newman, Billboard, 4 Mar. 2025
Ask them to tell you more to disarm defensiveness and foster trust, making even the prickliest clients feel heard, respected and ultimately satisfied.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2025
Old news, perhaps, but among Bayern’s transfer targets is — inevitably — Wirtz, which would involve a prickly negotiation.
—The Athletic Uk Staff, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025
Camille Cottin is a standout as prickly, voluble talent agent Andréa Martel, but the whole cast intermingles with enough chemistry and charm to make this one of the best workplace comedies of the last decade.
—Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 31 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prickly
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Melinda Newman, Billboard, 4 Mar. 2025
Ask them to tell you more to disarm defensiveness and foster trust, making even the prickliest clients feel heard, respected and ultimately satisfied.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2025
Old news, perhaps, but among Bayern’s transfer targets is — inevitably — Wirtz, which would involve a prickly negotiation.
—The Athletic Uk Staff, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025
Camille Cottin is a standout as prickly, voluble talent agent Andréa Martel, but the whole cast intermingles with enough chemistry and charm to make this one of the best workplace comedies of the last decade.
—Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 31 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prickly
Cite this Entry
“Prickly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prickly. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prickly
adjective
prick·ly
ˈprik-lē
-ə-lē
pricklier; prickliest
1
: full of or covered with prickles
prickly plants
2
: marked by slight stinging or tingling
a prickly sensation
prickliness
noun
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