• (RP) IPA: /ˈθɔːni/
• (America) IPA: /ˈθɔɹni/

thorny (comparative thornier, superlative thorniest)

1. having thorns or spines
2. (figuratively) troublesome or vexatious
   • c. 1599–1602, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: Printed by Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358 ↗, [Act I, scene iii]:

     the steep and thorny way to heaven

3. aloof and irritable
   • , Good Wives

     'Come, Jo, don't be thorny. After studying himself to a skeleton all the week, a fellow deserves petting, and ought to get it.'

• French: épineux
• Italian: spinoso
• Portuguese: espinhento, espinhoso
• Russian: колю́чий
• Spanish: espinoso, espinudo (Argentina)

• French: épineux
• Italian: spinoso
• Portuguese: espinhoso
• Russian: терни́стый
• Spanish: espinoso, espinudo (colloquial), peliagudo