thorny

[ thawr-nee ]

adjective

, thorn·i·er, thorn·i·est.

1. abounding in or characterized by thorns; spiny; prickly.
2. thornlike.
3. overgrown with thorns or brambles.
4. painful; vexatious:

   a thorny predicament.

5. full of difficulties, complexities, or controversial points:

   a thorny question.

   Synonyms: ticklish, sticky, tough

thorny

/ ˈθɔːnɪ /

adjective

1. bearing or covered with thorns
2. difficult or unpleasant

   a thorny problem

3. sharp

Derived Forms

• ˈthornily, adverb
• ˈthorniness, noun

Other Words From

• thorni·ly adverb
• thorni·ness noun
• un·thorny adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of thorny¹

before 1000; Middle English; Old English thornig. See thorn, -y ¹

Example Sentences

It is a thorny decision given Van Nistelrooy’s beloved status among United’s fans – but this is surely about a fresh start, the new broom arriving from Lisbon and sweeping clean.

From BBC

Diplomatic spats aside, marrying the new constitutional rules with the legal requirements of the free trade agreement could prove far thornier than first anticipated.

From BBC

Helping fellow citizens in their hour of need was not a thorny partisan issue, and nobody expected to score political points by refusing to help tragedy-stricken individuals.

From Salon

Belmont, like the artist he is purchasing the house from, has a thorny history.

From Los Angeles Times

Those are clear directions of travel on some thorny policy areas.

From BBC

Related Words

• awkward
• bothersome
• irksome
• nettlesome
• perplexing
• prickly
• sticky
• ticklish
• tricky
• troublesome
• unpleasant