brier

[brahy-er] / ˈbraɪ ər /

NOUN

bramble

Synonyms

STRONG

burr cleaver furze gorse hedge nettle prick shrub spray thistle thorn

WEAK

catch weed goose grass prickly shrub thistle sage

NOUN

shrub

Synonyms

STRONGEST

foliage hedge shrubbery thicket topiary tree

STRONG

bush

WEAK

boscage bosket

NOUN

thorn

Synonyms

STRONG

barb bramble nettle point spine thistle

NOUN

thorn

Synonyms

STRONG

prickle spine splint spur

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“My attitude is, ‘OK, throw us in that brier patch.

From Washington Times • Dec. 19, 2019

Our favorite writers can lead us into ideological brier patches and ethical thickets.

From New York Times • Feb. 28, 2018

Luckily, baseball has four years to work through this brier patch.

From Washington Post • Feb. 28, 2018

Oh, please don't throw me into the brier patch!

From Seattle Times • Sep. 17, 2010

“Look at them! They look like they’ve been run through a brier patch.”

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls