bristling with perplexities; the thorny question of states' rights'

having or covered with protective barbs or quills or spines or thorns or setae etc.; a horse with a short bristly mane; bristly shrubs; burred fruits; setaceous whiskers

[ Syn: barbed , barbellate , briary , briery , bristled , bristly , burred , burry , prickly , setose , setaceous , spiny ]