A "prickly shrub" refers to a woody plant that has thorny branches or stems. Synonyms for the term include "bramble," which refers to a prickly bush such as blackberry or raspberry. Other options include "thorny shrub" or "spiny bush," which refer to similar shrubs with pointed thorns. The term "hedge" can also be used to describe a row of prickly shrubs that is used to create a barrier or boundary. Additionally, the terms "thicket" and "underbrush" can be used to describe dense areas of prickly shrubs that grow in the wild. Regardless of the term used, all of these words refer to plants that can be painful or difficult to navigate through due to their sharp prickles and thorns.