spiniest
Having most barbs
Spiniest is the superlative of spiny—having the most spines or thornlike projections: the spiniest cactus in the collection, the spiniest sea urchin I've ever seen.
Figuratively, it can describe the most difficult or contentious: the spiniest problem on the agenda.
Spiny or irritable
- bramblesThorny wild shrubs
- cactusSpiny desert plant
- thistleSpiny flowering weed
- hedgehogSpiny nocturnal mammal
porcupine · rosebush · nettles · barbed · briar · burdock · gorse · hawthorn
Having sharp protrusions
- pricklySpiny or irritable
- problematicCausing difficulty or concern
- contentiousInclined toward disagreement
- complicatedDifficult to understand
tricky · knotty · challenging · sensitive · controversial · awkward · delicate · vexing
Tapering to a tip
- piercingPenetrating or very sharp
- serratedHaving toothlike projections
- jaggedSharply uneven, notched
- needle-likeThin and sharply pointed
barbed · pronged · spiked · bristling · razor-sharp · tapered · jabbing · lanceolate
prickly
Spiny or irritable
hedgehog · porcupine · rosebush · nettles · barbed · briar · burdock · gorse · hawthorn · holly
thorny
Having sharp protrusions
- pricklySpiny or irritable
- problematicCausing difficulty or concern
- contentiousInclined toward disagreement
complicated · tricky · knotty · challenging · sensitive · controversial · awkward · delicate · vexing · nettlesome
pointed
Tapering to a tip
needle-like · barbed · pronged · spiked · bristling · razor-sharp · tapered · jabbing · lanceolate