thorny

(t̸hôr)

adjective thornier, thorniest

  1. full of thorns; brambly; prickly
  2. having thorns or spines: said of some animals
  3. like a thorn; sharp
  4. full of obstacles, vexations, pain, etc.: the thorny road to peace
  5. full of controversial points; difficult; contentious: a thorny problem

Related Forms:

See thorny in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective thorn·i·er, thorn·i·est
  1. Full of or covered with thorns.
  2. Spiny.
  3. Painfully controversial; vexatious: a thorny situation; thorny issues.

Related Forms:

  • thornˈi·ly adverb
  • thornˈi·ness noun

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