Synonyms for pricking

Most common

piercing · stinging

All synonyms

Noun

Adjective

Definitions

1. n. 1

   The act of piercing or puncturing with a sharp point.

2. adj. 1

   That pricks; pricky

Forms

Plural

prickings → piercings, stingings…

Example sentences

• piercing He hid his belly button piercing from his parents.
• stinging Don't fear the stinging of the thorns if you want to break the rose.

Popularity over time

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

6 letters

thorny²

8 letters

piercing², stinging²

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (thorny² = 2 syllables).