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
2
: marked by prickling : stinging
a prickly sensation
3
a
: troublesome, vexatious
prickly issues
b
: easily irritated
had a prickly disposition
prickliness noun
Synonyms
- irritating
- itchy
- scratchy
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The plant's leaves are prickly. she tried to ignore the feel of the prickly grass against her skin
Recent Examples on the Web Newcomer Gray does wonderfully in the role, keeping the character’s prickly edges and underlying vulnerability in delicate balance throughout, while tackling the performance scenes like a pro. 
Andrew Barker, Variety, 8 Sep. 2022 Tuchel has been a frustrated and prickly figure after matches this season. Steve Douglas, ajc, 7 Sep. 2022 The normally translucent turquoise waters around Pinel Island turned into a prickly yellowish-brown slush. Fox News, 4 Aug. 2022 The normally translucent waters around Pinel Island turned into a prickly brown slush. Dánica Coto, USA TODAY, 4 Aug. 2022 The normally translucent turquoise waters around Pinel Island turned into a prickly yellowish-brown slush. Dánica Coto, Anchorage Daily News, 3 Aug. 2022 Whereas the olfactory nerve senses chemicals—the smell itself—the trigeminal nerve senses a smell’s tactile qualities (like prickly carbonation or bleach’s sharpness) as well as temperature shifts. Wired, 2 Aug. 2022 Nearby, the long prickly arms of his dragon fruit are draped over the branches of other trees, preparing to flower. Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2022 The normally translucent waters around Pinel Island turned into a prickly brown slush. Dánica Coto, USA TODAY, 4 Aug. 2022 See More
Andrew Barker, Variety, 8 Sep. 2022 Tuchel has been a frustrated and prickly figure after matches this season. Steve Douglas, ajc, 7 Sep. 2022 The normally translucent turquoise waters around Pinel Island turned into a prickly yellowish-brown slush. Fox News, 4 Aug. 2022 The normally translucent waters around Pinel Island turned into a prickly brown slush. Dánica Coto, USA TODAY, 4 Aug. 2022 The normally translucent turquoise waters around Pinel Island turned into a prickly yellowish-brown slush. Dánica Coto, Anchorage Daily News, 3 Aug. 2022 Whereas the olfactory nerve senses chemicals—the smell itself—the trigeminal nerve senses a smell’s tactile qualities (like prickly carbonation or bleach’s sharpness) as well as temperature shifts. Wired, 2 Aug. 2022 Nearby, the long prickly arms of his dragon fruit are draped over the branches of other trees, preparing to flower. Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2022 The normally translucent waters around Pinel Island turned into a prickly brown slush. Dánica Coto, USA TODAY, 4 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing prickly
Kids Definition
prickly
adjective
prick·ly ˈpri-klē
pricklier; prickliest
1
: having small sharp points
a prickly cactus
2
: having or causing slight stinging pain
a prickly sensation
prickly cold
prickly
adjective
1
as in irritating
causing an unpleasant tingling sensation she tried to ignore the feel of the prickly grass against her skin Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- irritating
- itchy
- harsh
- scratchy
- rough
- coarse
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- soft
- silky
- silken
- soothing
2
as in irritable
easily irritated or annoyed she dreaded having to deal with her prickly boss Synonyms & Similar Words
- irritable
- fiery
- testy
- snappish
- crotchety
- irascible
- peevish
- waspish
- grouchy
- petulant
- grumpy
- sensitive
- crabby
- choleric
- snarky
- pettish
- stuffy
- passionate
- cross
- snippy
- contentious
- ornery
- snarly
- raspy
- ratty
- snippety
- cantankerous
- cranky
- perverse
- short-tempered
- curmudgeonly
- querulous
- disagreeable
- combative
- truculent
- short
- belligerent
- pugnacious
- bilious
- quick-tempered
- argumentative
- tetchy
- bellicose
- surly
- out of sorts
- out of humor
- fretful
- snappy
- fractious
- dyspeptic
- quarrelsome
- sullen
- touchy
- pouty
- off-colored
- ill-tempered
- sulky
- disputatious
- off-color
- scrappy
- ill-humored
- bearish
- ill-natured
- huffy
- thin-skinned
- cross-grained
- hot-blooded
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- cordial
- genial
- affable
- friendly
- gregarious
- amiable
- sweet
- outgoing
- companionable
- agreeable
- extroverted
- sociable
- extraverted
- easygoing
- carefree
- good-natured
- tolerant
- stoical
- stoic
- patient
- relaxed
- forbearing
- good-tempered
- obliging
- well-disposed
- uncomplaining
- understanding
- happy-go-lucky
- long-suffering
3
as in thorny
having leaves or branches which are likely to cause a scratch waded carefully through the prickly bushes Synonyms & Similar Words
- thorny
- jagged
- thistly
- scratchy
- brambly
- bristly
- rough
- coarse
- burred
4
as in difficult
requiring exceptional skill or caution in performance or handling a prickly issue that will outrage at least one special interest if not handled delicately Synonyms & Similar Words
- difficult
- sensitive
- tough
- spiny
- thorny
- sticky
- complicated
- problematic
- delicate
- hairy
- knotty
- ticklish
- touchy
- problem
- tricky
- nasty
- tricksy
- problematical
- hard
- painful
- complex
- serious
- dodgy
- stubborn
- troublesome
- vexing
- catchy
- intricate
- recondite
- abstruse
- scabrous
- abstract
- involved
- demanding
- vexatious
- worrisome
- burdensome
- oppressive
- importunate
- onerous
- troublous
- inconvenient
- stressful
- exhausting
- exacting
- discommoding
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- undemanding
- straightforward
- easy
- uncomplicated
- simple
- effortless
- unproblematic
- painless
- manageable