often attributive
1
2
: a woody plant bearing sharp impeding processes (such as prickles or spines)
especially
: hawthorn
3
: something that causes distress or irritation
—often used in the phrase thorn in one's side
4
: the runic letter þ used in Old English and Middle English to represent either of the fricatives \th\ or \t͟h\ and in Icelandic to represent \th\
Examples of thorn in a Sentence
your constant questions are a thorn in my side
Recent Examples on the Web
Presidents of both parties complained about judges blocking policies nationwide
Nationwide injunctions have been a thorn in the side of presidential administrations of both parties.
—
Bart Jansen, USA Today, 22 July 2025
Those critics may or may not prove to be a thorn in O’Brien’s side.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 10 July 2025
Fiorentina’s Emma Severini was a constant thorn in Belgium’s right side, impressing creatively as well as closing down their attempts to progress down the wings.
—Cerys Jones, New York Times, 4 July 2025
Evans' lawsuit, filed after Thanksgiving, has been a thorn in the side of Mayor Freddie O'Connell, who has made improving transit a cornerstone of his mayoral campaign and time in office.
—Evan Mealins, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for thorn
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Bart Jansen, USA Today, 22 July 2025
Those critics may or may not prove to be a thorn in O’Brien’s side.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 10 July 2025
Fiorentina’s Emma Severini was a constant thorn in Belgium’s right side, impressing creatively as well as closing down their attempts to progress down the wings.
—Cerys Jones, New York Times, 4 July 2025
Evans' lawsuit, filed after Thanksgiving, has been a thorn in the side of Mayor Freddie O'Connell, who has made improving transit a cornerstone of his mayoral campaign and time in office.
—Evan Mealins, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for thorn
Cite this Entry
“Thorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thorn. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
thorn
noun1
: a woody plant bearing sharp processes (as prickles or spines)
especially
: hawthorn
2
: a sharp stiff process on a plant
especially
: a stem modified into a short, stiff, and leafless sharp point
3
: something or someone that causes distress or irritation
—often used in the phrase thorn in one's side
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