thorn

noun

ˈthȯrn How to pronounce thorn (audio)
Definition of thornnext
as in headache
something that is a source of irritation your constant questions are a thorn in my side

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of thorn However, some homeowners may be wary of planting roses because of their heavy thorns—especially in households with children or pets. — Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 15 June 2026 Waiting in the wings are short sellers — long a thorn in Musk’s side — who have been increasing their bets against the company in the wake of recent drops in share price, as Reuters reports. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 24 June 2026 Yamal was a thorn in Saudi Arabia’s side, drifting infield to unleash shots from distance but also peppering the penalty area with wicked deliveries from the right flank. — Mark Carey, New York Times, 2 July 2026 Until Hoxha's break with Nikita Khrushchev's USSR, after the abjuration of Stalinism, Sazan was in Soviet hands, a thorn in the side of the West, a base for 12 Whiskey-class submarines and of chemical-biological weapons plants. — Marzio G. Mian, Vanity Fair, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for thorn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thorn
  1. headache
  2. nuisance
  3. irritant
  4. frustration
  5. rub
Noun
  • Intense exercise on a sizzling day can lead to extreme fatigue, impaired performance, headache, irritability, nausea, dizziness, cramping and dehydration, all symptoms of exertional heat illness.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
  • Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome causes fatigue, fever, muscle aches, abdominal problems, headaches, chills and dizziness in the early stages, and late symptoms include chest tightness, coughing, shortness of breath and lungs filling with fluid.
    — Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of headache
Noun
  • And to add insult to social and cultural injury, the new policies also present a logistical nuisance.
    — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 30 June 2026
  • In New York, night clubs were sometimes regarded as a civic nuisance; one obstacle was the city’s cabaret law, from 1926, which required bars to obtain a special permit if patrons were dancing and was not fully repealed until 2017.
    — Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 29 June 2026
Definition of nuisance
Noun
  • Kaplan's research team put a rash-inducing irritant on the ears of mice.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 June 2026
  • Exposure to other irritants, such as dust, chemicals and pollution, can also cause it.
    — Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2026
Definition of irritant
Noun
  • This would let traffic flow, which is so necessary for the vitality and economy of Chicago; provide a safer route for bikers; and ease the frustration of all of those on the streets of Chicago.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • Spence also appears to be absorbing the blame for broader failures, with Thomas Tuchel’s touchline frustrations obvious and — for a player still establishing himself at this level — that scrutiny is unlikely to help.
    — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 4 July 2026
Definition of frustration
Noun
  • In a bowl, combine all dry rub ingredients and season the ribs generously on all sides.
    — Staff, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • The posh pup has a home in the lobby and outside the front entrance, and sits (and stays) at the ready for belly rubs.
    — Andrew Sessa, Robb Report, 2 July 2026
Definition of rub

Browse Nearby Words

thoraxes
thorn
thorniness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Thorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thorn. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on thorn

Nglish: Translation of thorn for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about thorn

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