Prickly adjective (complicated) complicated and difficult to deal with: They make up the stratum spinosum (prickly layer) of the epidermis and provide a continuous net-like layer of protection for underlying tissue. See examples of prickly used in a sentence. A prickly issue / situation (definition of prickly from the cambridge advanced learners dictionary & thesaurus © … Prickly synonyms, prickly pronunciation, prickly translation, english dictionary definition of prickly. Antonyms of prickly: The grass was prickly and cold. How to use prickly in a sentence. Caused or seeming to be caused by something that has many small, sharp points Having many sharp points; The bunk mattress was hard, the blankets prickly and slightly damp. Soft, silky, silken, soothing, cordial, friendly, genial, affable Something that is prickly feels rough and uncomfortable, as if it has a lot of prickles. Irritating, harsh, itchy, scratchy, rough, coarse, irritable, fiery; · the prickly pear is a cactus; Synonyms for prickly: Prickling or tingling or … Prick·li·er , prick·li·est 1. The meaning of prickly is full of or covered with prickles; Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. Distinguished from related kinds by the presence of prickles. Definition of prickly adjective in oxford advanced learners dictionary. Full of or armed with prickles. You have to peel it before eating it to remove the spines and the tough skin.