thorn
Rose stem hazard
A thorn is a sharp, pointed projection on a plant stem—a defense against animals that might eat it.
Roses, hawthorns, and blackberries bear thorns.
Figuratively, a thorn is a persistent source of irritation: a thorn in my side.
To be on thorns is to be anxious or uneasy.
A crown of thorns refers to Christ's suffering, and by extension, any painful burden.
Thorny wild shrub
- blackberryAggregate fruit from thorny canes
- hawthornThorny berry-bearing shrub
- rosebushThorny shrub bearing fragrant blooms
- briarThorny shrub or bush
thistle · cactus · bush · shrub · hedgerow · thicket · undergrowth · prickle
Pierce lightly with point
- stingSharp wound from insect
- punctureHole from penetration
- woundCoiled, or an injury
- scratchSuperficial wound or mark
irritation · splinter · jab · pierce · smarting · discomfort · soreness · injury
Sovereign's ornamental headpiece
- crucifixionExecution by cross
- ChristThe anointed savior
- martyrdomSuffering for conviction
- sufferingSustained experience of distress
biblical · sacred · sacrifice · Sleeping Beauty · curse · fairy tale · folklore
Guarding against harm
- deterrentThing that discourages action
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
- armorProtective combat covering
- impenetrableImpossible to pass through
hedge · fence · rampart · fortification · guarding · warding
Tapering to a tip
- barbedHaving sharp projections
- spinyHaving sharp points
- pricklySpiny or irritable
- needlelikeResembling a sharp spine
serrated · jagged · piercing · hooked · curved · woody · stiff · rigid
Short pointed stabbing blade
- obeliskTapering stone monument
- glyphVisual form of character
- characterNature, symbol, or role
- symbolRepresentational mark or sign
manuscript · Old English · runic · Icelandic
bramble
Thorny wild shrub
- blackberryAggregate fruit from thorny canes
- hawthornThorny berry-bearing shrub
- rosebushThorny shrub bearing fragrant blooms
briar · thistle · cactus · bush · shrub · hedgerow · thicket · undergrowth · prickle · barb
prick
Pierce lightly with point
scratch · irritation · splinter · jab · pierce · smarting · discomfort · soreness · injury · laceration
crown
Sovereign's ornamental headpiece
- crucifixionExecution by cross
- ChristThe anointed savior
- martyrdomSuffering for conviction
suffering · biblical · sacred · sacrifice · Sleeping Beauty · curse · fairy tale · folklore
protection
Guarding against harm
- deterrentThing that discourages action
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
- armorProtective combat covering
impenetrable · hedge · fence · rampart · fortification · guarding · warding
pointed
Tapering to a tip
needlelike · serrated · jagged · piercing · hooked · curved · woody · stiff · rigid · protruding
dagger
Short pointed stabbing blade
symbol · manuscript · Old English · runic · Icelandic
nuisance
Cause of aggravation
vexation · affliction · burden · torment · grievance · hindrance · obstacle · tribulation · suffering · side
- thorny issues
- crown of thornsBraided barbed headpiece
- thorn in someone's sidePersistent source of irritation
- thorn in side
- thorn bushWoody plant bearing spines
- thorn in the fleshPersistent source of irritation
thorny, thorns, thorned, thornier, thorniness, thorniest, thornless, thornlike, thorn-tree