as in to pierce
to cause or experience an unpleasant feeling that is like the feeling of having many small, sharp points against your skin
The burrs were prickling my arm. The wool sweater prickled my skin.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Examples 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 prickle
Adam Higginbotham, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 May 2024
Long gun barrels followed them at military checkpoints, prickling them with fear.
—Rozina Ali, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2024
Christie Wilcox, Discover Magazine, 13 June 2012
Paul Leonard-Morgan’s score is haunting and foreboding, making the hairs on the back of our neck prickle.
—Courtney Howard, Variety, 16 Mar. 2023
See all Example Sentences for prickle 
Verb
Despite all his years of training and the bitter cold inside the suit, his palms prickled with sweat; his heart quickened.
—Adam Higginbotham, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 May 2024
Long gun barrels followed them at military checkpoints, prickling them with fear.
—Rozina Ali, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2024
Noun
The hairs on the back of our neck prickle.
—Christie Wilcox, Discover Magazine, 13 June 2012
Paul Leonard-Morgan’s score is haunting and foreboding, making the hairs on the back of our neck prickle.
—Courtney Howard, Variety, 16 Mar. 2023
See all Example Sentences for prickle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prickle
Verb
-
For example, Catherine doesn’t mention that Jonathan pierced his arm with his pocketknife — a gift from Mr. Brigstocke — and forced her to drink the blood.Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
-
Bring to a simmer over medium heat; cook until potatoes can be easily pierced with a fork, about 10 minutes.Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
An ideologically diverse cross-section of economists agrees that the American Rescue Plan added a couple of percentage points to inflation, but didn’t cause the wider spike.Matthew Crowley, Louis Jacobson, Austin American-Statesman, 21 Nov. 2024
-
What's happening: The Trevor Project, an organization that serves LGBTQ+ young people, reported the largest spike in daily contact volume to its crisis services post-election.Avery Lotz, Axios, 20 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Cover up on the top half and let transparent details poke out from underneath.Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 20 Nov. 2024
-
The late-night host also poked fun at a photo of Trump, Elon Musk, RFK Jr., Donald Trump Jr. and House Speaker Mike Johnson eating McDonald’s on his private plane after attending the UFC 309 event on Saturday.Ellise Shafer, Variety, 19 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
Trump and Harris traded harsh and personal barbs at one other up until the closing days.Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 6 Nov. 2024
-
Although not as volatile as the race in the neighboring 45th district, the two candidates traded barbs all cycle, each trying to link the other to unpopular politicians from their respective parties.Hanna Kang, Orange County Register, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Ahead of Election Day coming up on Tuesday Nov. 5, the hip-hop hitmaker delivered a fiery speech that lasted nearly 10 minutes, complete with stinging soundbites and her signature, seemingly off-the-cuff swagger at Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis, Wisconsin, a suburb outside Milwaukee.Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 2 Nov. 2024
-
The decision means audiences can expect Stewart to continue needling lawmakers as well as a future President Kamala Harris or Donald Trump with his stinging commentary and satire well into their first year in office.Liam Reilly, CNN, 28 Oct. 2024
Noun
-
The Air has won nearly unanimous praise but high prices and production snags have kept sales low — just 6,001 vehicles in 2023.Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 18 Nov. 2024
-
All of the sheets were washed according to the manufacturer’s care instructions prior to use, then inspected for any imperfections, such as pilling, snags, color fading, loose threads.Kathleen Felton, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Cosmic country troupe Beachwood Sparks, whose new album, Across the River of Stars, will tickle most of your psychedelic synapses.Jason Pettigrew, SPIN, 21 Nov. 2024
-
The electoral catastrophe must’ve tickled Sinclair’s funny bone.Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
In addition to the first victim, police located possible human remains of a second individual of unknown gender inside the same freezer. Biohazard stickers were on the front door of the home on Friday, WLNS reported.Stepheny Price, Fox News, 12 Nov. 2024
-
The latest official figures for MPGe and driving range are available on the window stickers of newly arriving 2025 models.Peter Douglas, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near prickle
Cite this Entry
“Prickle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prickle. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share