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
Luckily, deer turn their noses up at coneflower—the spiny center is a turn-off.
—
Steve Bender, Southern Living, 15 May 2024
Using kitchen shears, cut the spiny tips off the artichoke leaves and rub all the cut edges with lemon.
—Kate Bradshaw, The Mercury News, 13 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for spiny 
Steve Bender, Southern Living, 15 May 2024
Using kitchen shears, cut the spiny tips off the artichoke leaves and rub all the cut edges with lemon.
—Kate Bradshaw, The Mercury News, 13 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for spiny
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 29 May. 2024.
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