Categories: GeneralSynonyms

THORN: Synonyms and Related Words. What is Another Word for THORN?

Need another word that means the same as “thorn”? Find 9 synonyms and 30 related words for “thorn” in this overview.

The synonyms of “Thorn” are: pricker, prickle, spikelet, spine, sticker, irritant, spike, barb, bristle

Thorn as a Noun

Definitions of "Thorn" as a noun

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “thorn” as a noun can have the following definitions:

  • A yellowish-brown woodland moth that rests with the wings raised over the back, with caterpillars that mimic twigs in appearance.
  • A thorny bush, shrub, or tree, especially a hawthorn.
  • A source of discomfort, annoyance, or difficulty; an irritation or obstacle.
  • A stiff, sharp-pointed woody projection on the stem or other part of a plant.
  • A small sharp-pointed tip resembling a spike on a stem or leaf.
  • Something that causes irritation and annoyance.
  • A Germanic character of runic origin.
  • An Old English and Icelandic runic letter, þ or Þ, representing the dental fricatives ð and θ. In English it was eventually superseded by the digraph th.

Synonyms of "Thorn" as a noun (9 Words)

barbThe pointed part of barbed wire.
His barb hurt more than she cared to admit.
bristleA stiff animal hair, or a man-made substitute, used to make a brush.
The heads are made with natural bristle.
irritantA substance that causes slight inflammation or other discomfort to the body.
In 1966 Vietnam was becoming an irritant to the government.
prickerAn awl for making small holes for brads or small screws.
prickleA small sharp-pointed tip resembling a spike on a stem or leaf.
The prickles of the gorse bushes.
spikeFruiting spike of a cereal plant especially corn.
The spike pierced the receipts and held them in order.
spikeletThe basic unit of a grass flower, consisting of two glumes or outer bracts at the base and one or more florets above.
spineAny sharply pointed projection.
Puerto Rico s mountainous spine.
stickerAn adhesive label.
She s a sticker.

Usage Examples of "Thorn" as a noun

  • He's a thorn in my flesh.
  • The issue has become a thorn in renewing the peace talks.

Associations of "Thorn" (30 Words)

barbA freshwater fish with barbels around the mouth popular in aquaria.
His barb hurt more than she cared to admit.
bushProvide with a bushing.
A rose bush.
cactusAny succulent plant of the family Cactaceae native chiefly to arid regions of the New World and usually having spines.
fragmentBreak or cause to break into fragments.
Lough Erne fragmented into a series of lakes.
harpoonSpear with a harpoon.
Gilbert s father harpooned a five metre basking shark.
hawthornA spring-flowering shrub or small tree of the genus Crataegus.
impaleTransfix or pierce with a sharp instrument.
The enemies were impaled and left to die.
javelinAn athletic competition in which a javelin is thrown as far as possible.
His nearest rival in the javelin.
mesquiteAny of several small spiny trees or shrubs of the genus Prosopis having small flowers in axillary cylindrical spikes followed by large pods rich in sugar.
orchidAny of numerous plants of the orchid family usually having flowers of unusual shapes and beautiful colors.
outbackThe remote and usually uninhabited inland districts of Australia.
The outback of Ontario.
petioleThe slender stem that supports the blade of a leaf.
pointedDirect and obvious in meaning or reference; often unpleasant.
His face tapers to a pointed chin.
prickleCause a stinging or tingling sensation.
I hate the way the fibres prickle your skin.
pricklyCovered in prickles.
He became prickly and spiteful.
roseAny of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses.
She s a rose between two thorns.
secedeWithdraw from an organization or communion.
The kingdom of Belgium seceded from the Netherlands in 1830.
shrubA low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems.
sliverForm into slivers.
It broke into slivers.
spearPierce with a spear.
Smoked salmon wrapped around asparagus spears.
spikeInjure a player with the spikes on one s shoes.
He doubted they would spike the entire effort over this one negotiation.
spinousShaped like a spine or thorn.
The dorsal fin is spinous.
spinyHaving spines.
A spiny problem.
splinterDivide into slivers or splinters.
He crashed into a fence splintering the wooden barricade.
stakeMark with a stake.
A stake in the company s future.
sterlingBritish money especially the pound sterling as the basic monetary unit of the UK.
This organization does sterling work for youngsters.
stickerA short knife with a pointed blade used for piercing or stabbing.
She s a sticker.
thornyCausing distress, difficulty, or trouble.
The thorny question of states rights.
transfixPierce with a sharp stake or point.
She stared at him transfixed.
wireProvide fasten or reinforce with wires.
He was expecting a friend in Australia to wire him 1 500.
Alexei

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