Thorny (Adjective)
Meaning 1
Bristling with perplexities; "the thorny question of states' rights".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The thorny issue of income inequality has been a contentious point in the presidential debates.
- The economists struggled to find a solution to the thorny problem of balancing the budget.
- The novel explores the thorny complexities of human relationships and the consequences of one's actions.
- The thorny question of whether to prioritize economic growth or environmental sustainability has sparked heated debates among policymakers.
- The philosopher's dense and convoluted writing style made her thorny arguments about moral absolutism even more difficult to follow.
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 thorny stem of the cactus plant made it difficult to handle.
- She had to navigate through the thorny underbrush in the woods to get to the other side.
- The thorny thistles that grew in the nearby fields were particularly dangerous to cattle.
- After touching the thorny bougainvillea, he let out a cry of pain.
- The thorny exterior of the fruit might have deterred some, but the sweet pulp inside was worth the risk.