as in headaches
something that is a source of irritation
your constant questions are a thorn in my side
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Recent Examples of thorns
One was treated for minor injuries, likely from rose-bush thorns, Christensen said.
—
David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2025
Both the northern and southern branches of the reef have been battered lately by tropical storms and the encroachment of invasive coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish, but heat stress driven by warming oceans is the primary cause, scientists told the BBC.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 7 Aug. 2025
David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2025
Both the northern and southern branches of the reef have been battered lately by tropical storms and the encroachment of invasive coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish, but heat stress driven by warming oceans is the primary cause, scientists told the BBC.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thorns
Noun
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The blooms may produce toxic substances that could result in headaches, weakness, shortness of breath, muscle spasms and gastrointestinal illnesses, officials said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
18 Sep. 2025
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Reassessing your cash strategy now, before the rate cuts happen, can save you from headaches or worse later.—
Gregory Clifford,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The Republican plan’s timing has added to Democratic frustrations.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
18 Sep. 2025
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There, former and current users of 7-OH document their struggles to quit, swapping advice, venting frustrations and chronicling the often brutal process of withdrawal.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Decades ago, marshes were considered nuisances, soggy flats to be drained, dried, and made waterproof with liberal coatings of asphalt.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Lawson said Cal Fire makes N-95 masks available to those fighting fires, which can protect firefighters from particulate matter and certain irritants that cause Valley Fever, a fungal infection, Lawson said.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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Clothes worn outside can carry pollen, dust and other irritants.—
Rhonda Conner-Warren,
The Conversation,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Thorns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thorns. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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