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thorny

 - 2 dictionary results

thorn⋅y

  [thawr-nee]
Use thorny in a Sentence
–adjective, thorn⋅i⋅er, thorn⋅i⋅est.
1. abounding in or characterized by thorns; spiny; prickly.
2. thornlike.
3. overgrown with thorns or brambles.
4. painful; vexatious: a thorny predicament.
5. full of difficulties, complexities, or controversial points: a thorny question.
Origin:
bef. 1000; ME; OE thornig. See thorn, -y 1

Related forms:
thorn⋅i⋅ly, adverb
thorn⋅i⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
5. tough, sticky, ticklish, perplexing.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To thorny
thorn·y   (thôr'nē)   
adj.   thorn·i·er, thorn·i·est

  1. Full of or covered with thorns.

  2. Spiny.

  3. Painfully controversial; vexatious: a thorny situation; thorny issues.

thorn'i·ly adv., thorn'i·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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