thorns

noun

plural of thorn
as in headaches
something that is a source of irritation your constant questions are a thorn in my side

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of thorns Their kickers’ health and performance for years have been one of the thorns in the team’s side. — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026 In many species, the pronotum extends over the body to form elaborate shapes that resemble thorns, buds, or other plant structures, providing excellent camouflage. — Markis Hill, Kansas City Star, 9 Aug. 2026 These networks used to buffer against isolation and economic displacement—the thorns of modern life that make partnership more valuable yet love more difficult to find. — Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2026 Blackthorn salt was filtered through something called a tower of thorns. — Literary Hub, 22 July 2026 According to Fried, songbirds especially like this tree’s fruit, which is reminiscent of blackberries but without the seeds or thorns. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 18 July 2026 Worst of all, these trees have become invasive, crossing with other Callery cultivars to create wild hybrids that produce four-inch-long thorns. — Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 15 July 2026 And as Jones notes, much of that is due to the actors who’ve thrown themselves into the characters, thorns and all. — Hannah Giorgis Yohannes, Vanity Fair, 13 July 2026 Later, after a half-day tour to the nearby towns of Lampa and Pucará, the team made magic again, with a lunch in a forest of towering Puya raimondii, otherworldly bromeliads with thorns like piranha teeth. — Chris Schalkx, Travel + Leisure, 4 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thorns
  1. headaches
  2. frustrations
  3. nuisances
  4. irritants
Noun
  • According to a GoFundMe set up to fund her ongoing treatment, severe headaches and blurred vision were among the initial symptoms Katie experienced before her cancer diagnosis.
    — Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Aviation pro Andres Celis says large roller bags that don’t fit properly in overhead bins can create unnecessary headaches during boarding as crew members try to find a place for them.
    — Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of headaches
Noun
  • Rather than treating Debra’s frustrations as something distant from her own life, Heaton drew from the reality of raising her own kids while working on the series.
    — Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026
  • But others argue those rookie mistakes and earlier comments − including calls to abolish the police − were eclipsed by Hong's grassroots support and growing frustrations with the party establishment.
    — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of frustrations
Noun
  • Others argued that the report seems to cast members of the media as nuisances to be dealt with, while ignoring instances in which journalists were targeted by law enforcement.
    — Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The Kansas City City Council approved a trio of ordinances on Thursday aimed at vacant properties that become nuisances and staving off demolition of historic buildings.
    — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of nuisances
Noun
  • Sharks are known to rub against reefs, sand, rocks and even the seafloor to remove irritants.
    — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
  • The signature blend of ceramides works to strengthen and support the skin’s natural barrier, which helps lock in moisture while defending against environmental irritants like pollutants and allergens.
    — Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 23 July 2026
Definition of irritants

Browse Nearby Words

thorniness
thorns
thorny
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Thorns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thorns. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on thorns

Nglish: Translation of thorns for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of balmy

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All