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.
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Recent Examples of prickle
Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 29 Mar. 2024
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
Tom Gliatto, People.com, 26 Mar. 2025
There also may be discomfort, prickling, or an itching sensation at the site of the bite.
—CBS News, 4 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for prickle
Verb
The guitar riff prickles nervously; the melody pleads in the manner of a hungry pet; Parton sings, in a trembling tone, about the woman who could and very well might take her man.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 29 Mar. 2024
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
Noun
This endless, headlong energy can produce a caffeinated buzz that rises to the brain on little prickling bubbles of enjoyment.
—Tom Gliatto, People.com, 26 Mar. 2025
There also may be discomfort, prickling, or an itching sensation at the site of the bite.
—CBS News, 4 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for prickle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prickle
Verb
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Polish officials said Russian drones pierced their airspace 19 times from late Tuesday night to Wednesday morning.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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The morning sun barely pierced the haze over Maitighar Mandala, yet the atmosphere was electric.—
Sonal Nain,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The comments by Dmitry Peskov come amid a spike in tensions between the alliance and Moscow following Poland's shooting down of Russian drones that entered the alliance member's airspace last week.—
Brendan Cole
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
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Therefore, right from the start, investors welcomed it warmly — the initial spike indicated strong demand for a premium, but also suggested that part of the surge was fueled by excitement for the debut rather than long-term confidence.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Keep communication open by avoiding poking fun at these practices.—
Ashleigh N. DeLuca,
Parents,
16 Sep. 2025
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Gibson proceeded to the Children’s Chorus room, where two staffers welcomed her to poke through the costume racks.—
Sarah Larson,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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But over the course of his exile, Ali’s barbs and stunts against Frazier grew into something more venomous.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
16 Sep. 2025
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Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones were heard trading barbs toward the end of their game on Sunday evening.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The lakes froze thick enough to skate across, the air stung sharp in the lungs, and the game every boy seemed to dream about was hockey.—
Zach Sweet,
Kansas City Star,
9 Sep. 2025
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It’s revealed that Sklar was Lori’s inspiration as a child to become an artist, only to crush that spark a dozen or so years later with stinging cruelty.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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While this usually indicates a healthy corporate sector, some worry this narrowness may lead investors to misprice risks, particularly as some industries hit snags in an uncertain economic environment.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
12 Sep. 2025
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On the northeast and east side, firefighting crews continue to mop up and strengthen existing lines by removing snags and completing hose lays across steep, rocky terrain, and old-growth vegetation.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As casting choices go, here is an extreme case where there are no limits on who can play what, sure to tickle some and tick off others on both sides of the aisle.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
5 Sep. 2025
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And he probably would have been tickled by the fact that the same person also invented the inkjet printer.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
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If parents want to do something special, Russell recommends quickly using a cookie cutter on a sandwich or adding a sticker alongside the snacks.—
Kate Sequeira,
Boston Herald,
7 Sep. 2025
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Here is how to properly read a car window sticker.—
Betty Lin-Fisher,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prickle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prickle. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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