Prickly (Adjective)
Meaning 1
Very irritable; "bristly exchanges between the White House and the press"; "he became prickly and spiteful"; "witty and waspish about his colleagues".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The politician's prickly demeanor made it difficult for her to connect with voters.
- The usually affable comedian became prickly when questioned about his personal life.
- The meeting between the two rival CEOs was marked by prickly exchanges and tense body language.
- After a few too many drinks, he became prickly and argumentative with his friends.
- The famous actress was known for her prickly relationship with the paparazzi, often lashing out at them on the red carpet.
Synonyms
Meaning 2
Having or covered with protective barbs or quills or spines or thorns or setae etc.; "a horse with a short bristly mane"; "bristly shrubs"; "burred fruits"; "setaceous whiskers".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The cactus plant is covered in sharp, prickly spines that can easily cause injury to humans and animals.
- Her arm was covered in prickly heat rash from the humid weather and her allergy to the insect bites.
- He wore thick gloves to protect his hands from the prickly branches of the thorny bushes he was trimming.
- The artist carefully created a prickly collage using real cactus spines and glue on her latest piece.
- She ran her hand gently over the prickly quills on the hedgehog's back, marveling at their intricate pattern.