as in stinging
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as in poking
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 prickling
Brian Moylan, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026
Retatrutide has shown similar side effects, as well as a prickling sensation known as dysesthesia.
—Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026
People with peripheral neuropathy may experience pins and needles sensations, such as tingling and prickling, in their extremities.
—Laura Dorwart, Health, 22 Dec. 2025
It is spread to people and pets through the bites and scratches of an infected animal, and first symptoms may include flu, weakness, discomfort, fever, headache, as well as a prickling sensation at the site of the wound, before turning into more severe disease after around two weeks.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Whitefish salad prickling with chile and festooned with great tufts of cilantro.
—Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
Jakobus speaks in an Old World dialect, Pilsner, delivering brisk herbal aromas, hints of fresh levain bread and a prickling hop bitterness.
—Peter Rowe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
As Luke walks off, his shirt undone and his furry belly prickling in the desert cold, Danny turns and stares out into the backyard.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026
Retatrutide has shown similar side effects, as well as a prickling sensation known as dysesthesia.
—Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026
People with peripheral neuropathy may experience pins and needles sensations, such as tingling and prickling, in their extremities.
—Laura Dorwart, Health, 22 Dec. 2025
It is spread to people and pets through the bites and scratches of an infected animal, and first symptoms may include flu, weakness, discomfort, fever, headache, as well as a prickling sensation at the site of the wound, before turning into more severe disease after around two weeks.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Whitefish salad prickling with chile and festooned with great tufts of cilantro.
—Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
Jakobus speaks in an Old World dialect, Pilsner, delivering brisk herbal aromas, hints of fresh levain bread and a prickling hop bitterness.
—Peter Rowe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prickling
Adjective
-
Jean-Philippe Mateta, named in France’s World Cup squad earlier this month, reacted superbly after Rayo keeper Augusto Batalla could only parry a stinging Wharton shot from the edge of the box.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
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Coming up short in the 2025 ISL boys lacrosse championship left a stinging sensation for Tabor Academy.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
Pulisic, the American star who is under intense pressure to perform in this tournament, set up the goal, pushing the ball between a pair of defenders before poking it on for McKennie in the center of the box.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2026
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As the miles dragged on, a chase vehicle crept by periodically with cameras poking out the window to capture scenes that could later be shared on social media, where Emanuel now has an almost daily presence.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 June 2026
Adjective
-
There’s no guarantee that Austin Jackson, who’s played just 32 games since 2022 and wasn’t a full participant in minicamp due to a nagging foot injury, lasts a full season.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
16 June 2026
-
His nagging hamstring strain prevents him pretty much only from running full speed, but that was enough to land him on the 10-day IL.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
In shallow water, children may fall or land on a dive stick, resulting in serious piercing injuries.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
12 June 2026
-
Telefone, the piercing 2016 breakout debut from Noname, turns ten this year, and the Chicago rapper is celebrating it with a late-summer anniversary trek.—
Alex Suskind,
Pitchfork,
11 June 2026
Adjective
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Dickerson was the first physician to treat Mike Studeny, who was diagnosed with a non-bleeding stroke.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
9 May 2026
-
In tests using mice, after surgical damage to the liver, AGCL was able to perform significantly better than other current anti-bleeding agents, with normal liver function returning just two weeks after its application.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The moon’s connection to Mercury sets your spidey-senses tingling.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
7 June 2026
-
Immediate symptoms can include hives, wheezing, itching, or a tingling feeling around the lips or mouth, swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat, coughing or shortness of breath, and vomiting.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
5 June 2026
Adjective
-
Some people drove or walked by, staring, and a video of the cross-burning gained traction online.—
Hallie Golden,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
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An important insider just shed light on one of the most burning questions in reality TV.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Some are invasive, while others don’t involve penetrating the egg.—
Christine Ro,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
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These coatings are typically lifetime-guaranteed to prevent stains from penetrating the porous surface, which can give you extra peace of mind.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prickling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prickling. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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