thorny meaning and definition

THORNY adjective

Definition of thorny (adjective)

1. bristling with perplexities
   • "the thorny question of states' rights"
2. having or covered with protective barbs or quills or spines or thorns or setae etc.
   • "a horse with a short bristly mane"; "bristly shrubs"; "burred fruits"; "setaceous whiskers"
   • synonyms: barbed, barbellate, briary, briery, bristled, bristly, burred, burry, prickly, setaceous, setose, spiny