thorny

[thawr-nee] /ˈθɔr ni/
adjective, thornier, thorniest.
1.
abounding in or characterized by thorns; spiny; prickly.
2.
thornlike.
3.
overgrown with thorns or brambles.
4.
painful; vexatious:
a thorny predicament.
5.
full of difficulties, complexities, or controversial points:
a thorny question.
Origin
before 1000; Middle English; Old English thornig. See thorn, -y1
Related forms
thornily, adverb
thorniness, noun
unthorny, adjective
Synonyms
5. tough, sticky, ticklish, perplexing.
British Dictionary definitions for thorny

thorny

/ˈθɔːnɪ/
adjective thornier, thorniest
1.
bearing or covered with thorns
2.
difficult or unpleasant: a thorny problem
3.
sharp
Derived Forms
thornily, adverb
thorniness, noun
Word Origin and History for thorny
adj.

Old English þornig; see thorn + -y (2). Figurative sense is attested from mid-14c. Related: Thorniness.