spinier; spiniest
1
: abounding with difficulties, obstacles, or annoyances : thorny
spiny problems
2
: covered or armed with spines
broadly
: bearing spines, prickles, or thorns
3
: slender and pointed like a spine
spininess
noun
Synonyms
Examples of spiny in a Sentence
this promises to be a spiny problem to negotiate
Recent Examples on the Web
For tall palms, farmers like Mr. Awang maneuver an extendable pole with a scythe on the end to slice through spiny 50-pound bunches cradled at the top of the trunk.
—
Patricia Cohen Jes Aznar, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2024
The mountainous desert region is one highlighted by cactus flowers like the Strawberry Pitaya, the spiny ocotillo shrub, catclaw, desert marigolds, and the area’s namesake bluebonnets.
—Krista Simmons and J.d. Simkins, Sunset Magazine, 8 Mar. 2024
Its hunting efficacy stems from its spiny exterior and dexterous tube feet, enabling it to adeptly navigate and capture prey on the muddy seafloor.
—Anna Nordseth, Discover Magazine, 1 Mar. 2024
While the cactus makes a beautiful natural ornament in the Phoenix area, the wild plant also provides nutritional benefits from its fruits and spiny pads.
—Katrina Michalak, The Arizona Republic, 14 Feb. 2024
Useful tip: Pumpkinseeds and other members of the sunfish family (bluegill, crappie and bass) have a spiny dorsal fin that can deliver a painful spike to unsuspecting anglers.
—Jordan Rodriguez, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024
African spiny mice are small to medium sized rodents with spiny hairs on their upper body, large eyes and ears, and scaly tails.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 24 May 2023
The mollusk shells, called Spondylus shells, come from a spiny oyster that Maya royalty used as currency and jewelry—and even included in sacrificial rituals.
—Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Feb. 2024
Victoria Beckham Answers Your Burning Beauty Questions Getty Images
The style paired perfectly with her over-the-top ensemble: a black turtleneck with spiny knots down the arms, and a satiny, black, floor-length skirt that didn't have a train so much as a tail.
—Marci Robin, Allure, 22 Jan. 2024
Patricia Cohen Jes Aznar, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2024
The mountainous desert region is one highlighted by cactus flowers like the Strawberry Pitaya, the spiny ocotillo shrub, catclaw, desert marigolds, and the area’s namesake bluebonnets.
—Krista Simmons and J.d. Simkins, Sunset Magazine, 8 Mar. 2024
Its hunting efficacy stems from its spiny exterior and dexterous tube feet, enabling it to adeptly navigate and capture prey on the muddy seafloor.
—Anna Nordseth, Discover Magazine, 1 Mar. 2024
While the cactus makes a beautiful natural ornament in the Phoenix area, the wild plant also provides nutritional benefits from its fruits and spiny pads.
—Katrina Michalak, The Arizona Republic, 14 Feb. 2024
Useful tip: Pumpkinseeds and other members of the sunfish family (bluegill, crappie and bass) have a spiny dorsal fin that can deliver a painful spike to unsuspecting anglers.
—Jordan Rodriguez, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024
African spiny mice are small to medium sized rodents with spiny hairs on their upper body, large eyes and ears, and scaly tails.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 24 May 2023
The mollusk shells, called Spondylus shells, come from a spiny oyster that Maya royalty used as currency and jewelry—and even included in sacrificial rituals.
—Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Feb. 2024
Victoria Beckham Answers Your Burning Beauty Questions Getty Images
The style paired perfectly with her over-the-top ensemble: a black turtleneck with spiny knots down the arms, and a satiny, black, floor-length skirt that didn't have a train so much as a tail.
—Marci Robin, Allure, 22 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spiny.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Spiny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spiny. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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