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as in difficult
requiring exceptional skill or caution in performance or handling
the candidate tried to avoid discussing his views on the thorny issue
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of thorny
While traditional financial institutions allow for the seamless transfer of stocks, mutual funds and retirement plans, bitcoin’s self-custodial nature makes inheritance and estate planning inherently thorny.
—
Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2025
Of the many thorny subjects at hand, Spiegelman’s conflicted sentiment about attaining fame via a story that looks into the darkest human abyss feel profoundly honest.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 25 Feb. 2025
Finding a legislative solution to these thorny issues in a divided government could thus push legalization forward.
—Daniel J. Mallinson, The Conversation, 24 Feb. 2025
On that note, the lexicon of watch condition has proven to be one of TGS’s thorniest issues.
—Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for thorny
Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2025
Of the many thorny subjects at hand, Spiegelman’s conflicted sentiment about attaining fame via a story that looks into the darkest human abyss feel profoundly honest.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 25 Feb. 2025
Finding a legislative solution to these thorny issues in a divided government could thus push legalization forward.
—Daniel J. Mallinson, The Conversation, 24 Feb. 2025
On that note, the lexicon of watch condition has proven to be one of TGS’s thorniest issues.
—Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for thorny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thorny
Adjective
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The image teases both the film’s narrative developments and its jagged formal approach, as the director (who shares editing duties with both co-writer Karen Plata and DP Odei Zabaleta) aims to structurally replicate the non-linear disorder and occasional blind spots of ruptured childhood memories.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
26 Feb. 2025
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Located on the historic Santa Barbara plantation, the jagged limestone peak is accessible at four different points with routes up to 164 feet high (50 meters), depending on your athletic ability.—
Curaçao Tourist Board,
AFAR Media,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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But their happy romance is soon demolished when Jenny reappears in their lives, thrusting all three into a difficult and messy journey towards true accountability and adulthood.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
7 Mar. 2025
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These protein complexes are highly shape-shifting, making traditional imaging methods very difficult.—
Priyanka Naik,
The Conversation,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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It’s abandoned now and has fallen into disrepair, with broken slats on the wood steps and prickly bushes growing over the front porch.—
Melinda Newman,
Billboard,
4 Mar. 2025
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Ask them to tell you more to disarm defensiveness and foster trust, making even the prickliest clients feel heard, respected and ultimately satisfied.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Ties during Trump’s first term One of the hallmarks of the first Trump Administration was a tougher stance towards China compared to his predecessors, through tit-for-tat tariffs and an Indo-Pacific strategy that aimed to curb Beijing’s growing influence in the Western Pacific.—
Chad de Guzman,
TIME,
27 Feb. 2025
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How to Bet Timberwolves vs. Lakers Following up a game like Tuesday's would be tough for the Wolves under any circumstances, but with Edwards battling a calf injury and DiVincenzo potentially sidelined, beating the Lakers in L.A. will be that much more difficult.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Like linen, hemp is a strong fiber that can be a little bit scratchy.—
Kathleen Felton,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Nov. 2024
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Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier: on sale for $39.99 Original price: $49.99 (Amazon) A humidifier can help with dry coughs, congestion, nose bleeds, itchy eyes and scratchy throats.—
Nora Colomer,
Fox News,
5 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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To begin the transition to PQC, assess what of your critical infrastructure deals with high volumes of sensitive data.—
Anurag Lal,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
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Ilia’s Clean Line Gel Eyeliner is a sight for sensitive eyes.—
Annie Blackman,
Allure,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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While many countries, states and major companies have taken steps to ban problematic plastics and set ambitious goals for waste reduction, the collective effort is still falling far short of what's needed to stem the tide of plastic waste.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
4 Mar. 2025
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The film has been embroiled in controversy in recent weeks after its star, Karla Sofía Gascón — who is nominated for Best Actress — had several problematic social media posts resurface online.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Refunds are typically smaller at the start of the tax season because low- and middle-income workers with simpler tax returns are often the first to file, while higher-income Americans or people with more complicated taxes tend to wait until closer to the April 15 deadline to file their returns.—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2025
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Hackman played complicated men — many of them not very nice.—
Neda Ulaby,
NPR,
27 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Thorny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thorny. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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