spiky
Like a hedgehog
Spiky describes something with sharp projections or points: spiky hair, a spiky cactus, spiky heels.
Figuratively, a spiky person or remark is prickly, defensive, or easily irritated: She gave a spiky response to the criticism.
British English uses spiky more readily for temperament than American English does.
Pointed plant projection
- quillFeather used for writing
- spineColumn of vertebrae
- barbBackward-pointing spike
- bristleCoarse animal hair
prickle · needle · prong · tine · stalagmite · stalactite · icicle · splinter
Sharply uneven, notched
- serratedHaving toothlike projections
- pointedTapering to a tip
- piercingPenetrating or very sharp
- keenSharp or enthusiastic
razor-sharp · needle-like · blade-like · cutting · lacerating · prickly · bristling · toothy
Barbed defensive rodent
- hedgehogSpiny nocturnal mammal
- echidnaEgg-laying spined mammal
- pufferfishFish that expands
- thornsSharp plant projections
quills · spines · armor · bristles · barbs · thistle · cactus · briar
Rough enough to erode
- combativeInclined toward conflict
- confrontationalInclined toward hostile encounters
- pugnaciousInclined to quarrel
- truculentAggressively hostile disposition
belligerent · antagonistic · fierce · hostile · prickly · bristly · sharp-tongued · cutting
Central standing hair strip
Likely to cause injury
- treacherousDisloyal and dangerous
- harmfulCausing damage or injury
- injuriousCausing physical harm
- riskyInvolving possible harm
perilous · menacing · precarious · wounding · piercing · impaling · lacerating · puncturing
Currently in style
- stylishFashionably elegant
- hipFashionable or pelvic joint
- chicTasteful, current flair
- edgyTense and irritable
cool · statement · bold · eye-catching · attention-grabbing · designer · runway · haute
Raw, fast rock genre
- alternativeAnother available choice
- avant-gardeInnovative cultural pioneers
- rebelliousResisting authority or control
- nonconformistRejects prevailing social standards
radical · raw · subversive · bold · daring · unconventional · experimental · anarchic
thorn
Pointed plant projection
bristle · prickle · needle · prong · tine · stalagmite · stalactite · icicle · splinter · burr
jagged
Sharply uneven, notched
keen · razor-sharp · needle-like · blade-like · cutting · lacerating · prickly · bristling · toothy · sawtoothed
porcupine
Barbed defensive rodent
- hedgehogSpiny nocturnal mammal
- echidnaEgg-laying spined mammal
- pufferfishFish that expands
thorns · quills · spines · armor · bristles · barbs · thistle · cactus · briar · burr
abrasive
Rough enough to erode
- combativeInclined toward conflict
- confrontationalInclined toward hostile encounters
- pugnaciousInclined to quarrel
truculent · belligerent · antagonistic · fierce · hostile · prickly · bristly · sharp-tongued · cutting · biting
mohawk
Central standing hair strip
hazardous
Likely to cause injury
- treacherousDisloyal and dangerous
- harmfulCausing damage or injury
- injuriousCausing physical harm
risky · perilous · menacing · precarious · wounding · piercing · impaling · lacerating · puncturing · barbed
fashionable
Currently in style
edgy · cool · statement · bold · eye-catching · attention-grabbing · designer · runway · haute · fierce
punk
Raw, fast rock genre
- alternativeAnother available choice
- avant-gardeInnovative cultural pioneers
- rebelliousResisting authority or control
nonconformist · radical · raw · subversive · bold · daring · unconventional · experimental · anarchic · provocative
- spike stripRoad hazard for vehicles
- road spikesTire-deflating barrier device
- spiky hairStiff upward-pointing strands
- spiked punchAlcohol added covertly to drink
- rail spikeLarge nail securing tracks
- voltage spikesSudden increases in current
spike, spiked, spikes, spiking, spikey, spikier, spikiest, spikiness, spikelike