prickly

[ prik-lee ]

adjective

, prick·li·er, prick·li·est.

1. full of or armed with prickles.
2. full of troublesome points:

   a prickly problem.

3. prickling; smarting:

   a prickly sensation.

prickly

/ ˈprɪklɪ /

adjective

1. having or covered with prickles
2. stinging or tingling
3. bad-tempered or irritable
4. full of difficulties; knotty

   a prickly problem

Derived Forms

• ˈprickliness, noun

Other Words From

• prickli·ness noun
• un·prickly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of prickly¹

First recorded in 1570–80; prickle + -y ¹

Example Sentences

“Martha” doesn’t gloss over Stewart’s prickly, demanding personality, but it also makes the case that she was unfairly maligned — and ultimately prosecuted — because of her gender.

From Los Angeles Times

She made a name for herself in standup by bringing her audiences juicy insider stories about the celebrity elite, twisted into no-holds-barred anecdotes that turned her into a prickly figure in Hollywood.

From Salon

The plant Mexicans most identify with is the prickly pear cactus.

From Los Angeles Times

Phillips' decision to transform Harley from the canon survivor of the Joker's abusive tendencies to a perpetrator and partial architect of Arthur's pain just feeds into dangerous, prickly narratives about women.

From Salon

He tried to avoid directly addressing prickly issues when pushed by the press.

From BBC

Related Words

• complicated
• knotty
• nettlesome
• ticklish
• tricky