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 of spiny
Examples of spiny in a Sentence
this promises to be a spiny problem to negotiate
Recent Examples on the Web
The plant is easily identified by its rampant growth in the spring and its spiny globular fruit. —
Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 16 Apr. 2026 In addition to serving as a living mulch, the spiny hairs on squash leaves are thought to deter raccoons from stealing your sweet corn. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2026 The Cleveland Botanical Garden's Glasshouse spotlights plants, insects, birds, and more from the spiny desert of Madagascar and the rainforest of Costa Rica. —Ashlyn Ware, Midwest Living, 9 Apr. 2026 In late November, the annual Anegada Lobster Festival takes the island's year-round lobster love and turns it into an obsession, with local restaurants featuring special dishes and plenty of events making the spiny Anegada lobster the star of the show. —Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spiny
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.
Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 16 Apr. 2026 In addition to serving as a living mulch, the spiny hairs on squash leaves are thought to deter raccoons from stealing your sweet corn. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2026 The Cleveland Botanical Garden's Glasshouse spotlights plants, insects, birds, and more from the spiny desert of Madagascar and the rainforest of Costa Rica. —Ashlyn Ware, Midwest Living, 9 Apr. 2026 In late November, the annual Anegada Lobster Festival takes the island's year-round lobster love and turns it into an obsession, with local restaurants featuring special dishes and plenty of events making the spiny Anegada lobster the star of the show. —Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spiny
Cite this Entry
“Spiny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/spiny. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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