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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of prickle
Laura Schober, Health, 3 Sep. 2024
Then more debilitating symptoms appeared — including blurred vision, headache, tinnitus, nausea and more — before the tingling and prickling sensations reached her legs.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 14 May 2024
Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2021
The hairs on the back of our neck prickle.
—Christie Wilcox, Discover Magazine, 13 June 2012
See all Example Sentences for prickle 
Verb
This may lead to symptoms such as seizures, muscle spasms and contractions, and paresthesia (the sensation of prickling, burning, or tingling in the skin).
—Laura Schober, Health, 3 Sep. 2024
Then more debilitating symptoms appeared — including blurred vision, headache, tinnitus, nausea and more — before the tingling and prickling sensations reached her legs.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 14 May 2024
Noun
My skin got that proper prickle.
—Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2021
The hairs on the back of our neck prickle.
—Christie Wilcox, Discover Magazine, 13 June 2012
See all Example Sentences for prickle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prickle
Verb
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Deputies found Campitelli, a popular piercing artist, dead in her Merritt Island apartment on May 15, 2021, after Keller called 911 saying she had been shot, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.—
KC Baker,
People.com,
4 Feb. 2025
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His face is a death mask: gaunt and soiled, teeth pebbly, eyes dilated but piercing in their last hint of blued luminescence.—
Matt Thompson,
SPIN,
3 Feb. 2025
Noun
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First launched in May of last year, the collection was inspired by Poseidon’s trident from Greek mythology (a nod to Atlantis, the name of the Virginia Beach area where the artist was raised) and featured a mix of gold, titanium, and diamonds in chains accented with spikes.—
Paige Reddinger,
Robb Report,
28 Jan. 2025
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These two forces combined—tight supply and high demand—are directly causing the spike in wholesale prices consumers are seeing.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Allow the cake to cool for 10 minutes then use the handle end of a wooden spoon to poke holes about 1 1/2 inches apart all the way through the cake.—
Bev Barrett,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
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Even Belichick's former New England Patriots players poked fun at his relationship during The Roast of Tom Brady in May 2024.—
Kristan Hawkins,
Newsweek,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Tyson and Paul repeatedly traded barbs and insults to each other leading up to the Nov. 15 boxing match, which was delayed by four months after the legendary former heavyweight champion was diagnosed with an ulcer flare-up.—
Danielle Jennings,
People.com,
21 Jan. 2025
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This has led Republicans to warn the nominees against falling hook, line and sinker for the barbs.—
Al Weaver,
The Hill,
12 Jan. 2025
Verb
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That doesn’t mean the absences to Golden State’s second and third most valuable players haven’t stung.—
Danny Emerman,
The Mercury News,
28 Jan. 2025
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Misdiagnosed by Dennis as a blithering NPC, Marcie turns out to be the emotional turnkey for the entire movie — even more so than Roman and Rocky’s mom (Lauren Graham), who pops in just long enough to suggest that losing a twin might sting with the same intensity as losing a child.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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In thinking of the rights of families of the dead, there’s a significant snag: Who counts as family?—
Tyler McBrien,
The Dial,
28 Jan. 2025
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Ali looked matter-of-fact, as if the instance had been a slight snag.—
Mikal Gilmore,
Rolling Stone,
17 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Yet much of it flashes by in a kaleidoscopic way that tickles our eyes and ears.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
24 Jan. 2025
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If the idea of nature powering electronics tickles your fancy, check out this recyclable battery made from zinc and crab shells, and even this edible rechargeable battery made using seaweed.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
18 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Sticker art kits come in varying difficulty, with larger stickers for younger kids and intricate designs for older ones.—
Lanee Lee,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
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The smoke alarm packs came with lithium-ion batteries, adhesive stickers, screws, mounting plates and an instruction manual.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA TODAY,
19 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near prickle
Cite this Entry
“Prickle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prickle. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.
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