Prick (Verb)
Meaning 1
Raise; "The dog pricked up his ears".
Classification
Verbs of walking, flying, swimming.
Examples
- The rabbit pricked up its ears at the sound of footsteps nearby.
- As soon as she heard her name being called, the cat pricked up its ears.
- The horse pricked its ears and whinnied loudly when it sensed its owner approaching.
- When the hunter entered the forest, the deer pricked up their ears.
- The little girl pricked up her ears as her parents discussed the surprise birthday party.
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Hypernyms
Meaning 2
Stab or urge on as if with a pointed stick.
Classification
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.
Examples
- The farmer used a long stick to prick the reluctant cow forward.
- A sharp stone will prick the underside of the tire and cause a flat.
- The sharp end of the stick began to prick the mule, causing it to move faster.
- The rider expertly used her heels to prick the flanks of the galloping horse.
- A cactus spine might prick the skin of anyone brushing against the plant.
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Hypernyms
Meaning 3
Cause a stinging pain; "The needle pricked his skin".
Classification
Verbs of seeing, hearing, feeling.
Examples
- The sharp thorn pricked her finger while she was gardening.
- A stray shard of glass on the floor pricked the foot of her little brother.
- The doctor's needle pricked the skin before the injection was administered.
- A rock hidden in the tall grass pricked his toe when he ran barefoot through the lawn.
- A tiny splinter pricked the underside of her hand while working with wood in the workshop.
Synonyms
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Hyponyms
Meaning 4
To cause a sharp emotional pain; "The thought of her unhappiness pricked his conscience".
Classification
Verbs of feeling.
Examples
- The memory of his past failures pricked his ego and made him doubt his abilities.
- Her harsh words pricked at his heart, causing him to reevaluate their friendship.
- The thought of abandoning his childhood dream pricked at his conscience, and he decided to give it one last try.
- The news of her illness pricked his sense of responsibility, and he immediately made plans to visit her.
- The image of the homeless man pricked his sympathy, and he felt compelled to offer his assistance.
Hypernyms
Meaning 5
Cause a prickling sensation.
Classification
Verbs of seeing, hearing, feeling.
Examples
- The nettle leaves started to prick her skin as she brushed against them.
- A stray thread from the sweater began to prick the back of his neck.
- As I sat on the itchy fabric of the old couch, the rough material started to prick my legs.
- The dry winter air seemed to prick her face with a thousand tiny needles.
- The tags on her new clothes started to prick her skin and annoy her.
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Meaning 6
Deliver a sting to; "A bee stung my arm yesterday".
Classification
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.
Examples
- The thorn prick my skin as I brushed past the rose bush.
- A cactus spine managed to prick my finger while gardening.
- A sharp splinter will prick your skin if you're not careful.
- The bee's stinger started to prick the skin before it was quickly swatted away.
- The insect bite began to prick and itch my arm throughout the night.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Meaning 7
Make a small hole into, as with a needle or a thorn; "The nurse pricked my finger to get a small blood sample".
Classification
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.
Examples
- She gently pricked the balloon, and it made a soft hissing sound as the air escaped.
- The gardener's gloved hand was pricked by a thorn when trimming the rose bushes.
- To inflate the blood pressure cuff, you'll need to prick the valve to release excess air.
- At the doctor's office, the nurse pricked my finger to check my blood sugar levels.
- The crafter carefully pricked a small hole in the envelope to thread the string through.