1. covered with sharp points or thorns
2. causing a stinging or tingling sensation
3. easily annoyed or irritated; bad-tempered
Usage: informal

Examples

• The prickly cactus made it difficult to walk through the desert.
• She wore a prickly wool sweater that made her skin itch.
• The prickly heat made him uncomfortable in the humid weather.
• He became prickly whenever someone criticized his work.
• The prickly rose bush needed careful pruning.
• Her prickly attitude made it hard to have a conversation.
• The prickly sensation in his feet meant his circulation was returning.