abounding in or characterized by thorns; spiny; prickly.

thornlike.

overgrown with thorns or brambles.

painful; vexatious

a thorny predicament.

full of difficulties, complexities, or controversial points

a thorny question.

adjective

dull , smooth , unpointed , easy , solvable , untroublesome

adjective

barbed , briery , bristling , bristly , prickly , spiked , spiky , spinous , spiny , stinging , thistly , awkward , baffling , bothersome , formidable , harassing , hard , irksome , nettlesome , perplexing , severe , sticky , ticklish , tough , tricky , troublesome , trying , unpleasant , upsetting , vexatious , worrying , echinate , pricky , annoying , controversial , difficult , pointed , problematic , sharp , spined