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.
If an agreement as superficial as the memorandum of understanding — which deferred thornier issues for late negotiations — was derailed, then there’s little option other than repeated cycles of violence.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026
The U.S. and Iran struck a preliminary peace deal last week that broadly calls for a 60-day cease-fire and punted some of the conflict’s thornier issues, such as Iran’s uranium stockpiles.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 22, 2026
The negotiations are aimed at securing a minimal memorandum of understanding that would end the fighting and open the Strait of Hormuz while setting the stage for later talks on thornier issues.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 12, 2026
And a culture of callouts, scandals, and fear may prevent media and publishing from wrestling with much thornier questions of authorship.
From Slate ● Apr. 17, 2026
Little Willie, in the tracts, scarcely dreamed of a thornier path of self-sacrifice.
From Old and New Masters by Robert Lynd
