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.
“That would leave the thornier issues around tech rivalry, transshipments and Taiwan unresolved.”
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 23, 2026
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
The company likened the problem to nuclear-weapons treaties—but acknowledged stopping cheating would be even thornier.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 4, 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
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
