thistly

adjective

Definition of thistlynext
as in prickly
having leaves or branches which are likely to cause a scratch caught her sleeve on a thistly bush

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for thistly
  1. prickly
  2. jagged
  3. thorny
  4. scratchy
Adjective
  • Deepfake memes grant a similar carte blanche to their creators, while introducing even pricklier questions about race and authenticity.
    — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Its signature spice comes from the prickly ginger beer that is both fizzy and cooling.
    — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of prickly
Adjective
  • The trace of bone plates’ fusion remains in jagged lines like black lightning.
    — Daniel Barnum, Longreads, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Furthermore, the whiskers are in front, preventing the drone from detecting sideways obstacles like random jagged branches in a forest.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of jagged
Adjective
  • Trump has since tried to find an off-ramp to the war in Iran, but Israel’s actions made such peace deal talks thorny.
    — Chad de Guzman, Time, 19 Oct. 2026
  • And although the lack of communication between the family and the foundation has sowed its fair share of discord, the situation is a bit thornier than that.
    — Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of thorny
Adjective
  • Every fall wardrobe needs a denim jacket, and this design feels smooth and stretchy rather than stiff and scratchy.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The look is crisp, angular, and metallic, with lots of straight lines and slender silhouettes, and sits in pleasing contrast alongside luscious velvet and scratchy linen, rough stone, warm terracotta, or grainy timber.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of scratchy
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

this
thistly
thorax
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Cite this Entry

“Thistly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thistly. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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