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Definitions

porcupine

[pawr-kyuh-pahyn] / ˈpɔr kyəˌpaɪn /
NOUN
shrew
Synonyms
STRONG
backbiter battle-ax bitch carper detractor dragon fire-eater fishwife fury harpy harridan hellion muckraker nag ogress scold she-devil spitfire termagant tigress virago vixen
WEAK
calumniator hell cat reviler she-wolf vituperator

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.

Scott: I think it might have been a Mexican hairy dwarf porcupine.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

The next day I got up and went over to get in the shower and there was a porcupine.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

“I’m on stage with my target stick, my equipment, and having a porcupine do circles, follow me, roll a ball,” said Jadyn Carnicella, 20, a Simi Valley resident.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 11, 2025

According to reports at the time there were some clues, including the discovery of straw bedding with porcupine quills in it.

From BBC • Feb. 13, 2025

One year I was home to a lovely and exceedingly polite porcupine family.

From "Wishtree" by Katherine Applegate