thorny
adjective
abounding in or characterized by thorns; spiny; prickly.
thornier
-
comparativeof thorny.comparative
The form of an adjective or adverb indicating a greater degree of a quality.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It’s a gauntlet made thornier whenever Murashige, who believes in mercy over violence, engages with Kanbei, chained in a dungeon but with a dangerous mind nonetheless.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 30, 2026
Then it was back to even thornier negotiations in Russia–Ukraine, and Iran.
From Slate ● Jul. 22, 2026
The upticks follow the 60-day deal between the U.S. and Iran, and ongoing negotiations over the conflict’s thornier disputes.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 23, 2026
China, he said, might hope "that will put Trump and his team in a positive frame of mind when they're then discussing more complex, thornier issues".
From Barron's ● May 8, 2026
At present he is plain human, with the world-old malady gnawing at his heart, a pain which threatens to send his cogitations whooping down a thornier and rosier lane than any Buddha ever knew.
From The Lady and Sada San A Sequel to the Lady of the Decoration by Frances Little
