1
: a mark or shallow hole made by a pointed instrument
2
a
: a pointed instrument or weapon
b
: a sharp projecting organ or part
3
4
vulgar
: penis
5
slang, vulgar
: a spiteful or contemptible man often having some authority
pricked; pricking; pricks
1
: to pierce slightly with a sharp point
2
: to affect with anguish, grief, or remorse
doubt began to prick him—
Philip Hale
Philip Hale3
: to ride, guide, or urge on with or as if with spurs : goad
4
: to mark, distinguish, or note by means of a small mark
5
: to trace or outline with punctures
6
: to remove (a young seedling) from the seedbed to another suitable for further growth
—usually used with out
7
: to cause to be or stand erect
a dog pricking its ears
Synonyms
Examples of prick in a Sentence
Noun
She felt a prick as the thorn jabbed her foot.
He felt the prick of the needle.
She felt a prick of jealousy.
Verb
The nurse pricked my finger and squeezed out a drop of blood.
The sharp shells pricked the bottoms of our feet.
She was pricked by doubt.
Recent Examples on the Web
Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2024
During this test, a healthcare provider pricks your skin with a small amount of an allergen.
—Daniel More, Verywell Health, 19 Sep. 2024
Somewhere out there in the ether, the ghost in the machine hears our weak little mouse clicks and pricks up his horns.
—James Wood, The New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2024
Another is a growing concern of Harris’ periodic comments on issues related to Indian democracy and human rights, ruffling feathers in India and pricking the warming ties between Washington and New Delhi.
—Anika Arora Seth, Washington Post, 28 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for prick 
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Verb
In postwar California, the Red Light Bandit pricked a governor’s conscience.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2024
During this test, a healthcare provider pricks your skin with a small amount of an allergen.
—Daniel More, Verywell Health, 19 Sep. 2024
Somewhere out there in the ether, the ghost in the machine hears our weak little mouse clicks and pricks up his horns.
—James Wood, The New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2024
Another is a growing concern of Harris’ periodic comments on issues related to Indian democracy and human rights, ruffling feathers in India and pricking the warming ties between Washington and New Delhi.
—Anika Arora Seth, Washington Post, 28 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for prick
Dictionary Entries Near prick
Cite this Entry
“Prick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prick. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prick
1 of 2 noun1
: a mark or small wound made by a pointed instrument
2
: something sharp or pointed
3
: an instance of pricking
4
: the sensation of being pricked
prick
2 of 2 verb1
: to pierce slightly with a sharp point
2
: to have or cause a feeling of or as if of being pricked
3
: to point forward or upward
the dog's ears pricked up at the sound
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