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

Although the company is currently targeting people with disabilities, Musk has said the implants could be wedded with artificial intelligence to greatly magnify the intelligence of all humans — presenting its own set of thorny scientific and ethical issues.

From Los Angeles Times

Like a nonfiction novel, Keefe’s book traces five decades of thorny history from the perspective of real-life characters, including the notorious Price sisters, Marian and Dolours, I.R.A. militants whose prison hunger strikes made front-page news in the 1970s, and Gerry Adams, the political leader who helped bring peace to Northern Ireland but has been accused of participating in atrocities committed during the height of the conflict.

From Los Angeles Times

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

After 8 seasons of thorny issues, heated debates and one shelved episode, Kenya Barris, Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross say goodbye.

From Los Angeles Times

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

Related Words

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