ropy

adjective

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\ ˈrō-pē

variants: or less commonly ropey

ropier; ropiest

Definition of ropy

1a : capable of being drawn into a thread : viscous also : tending to adhere in stringy masses

b : having a gelatinous or slimy quality from bacterial or fungal contamination ropy milk ropy flour

2a : resembling rope

b : muscular, sinewy

3 slang : poor, lousy

Other Words from ropy Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More About ropy

Synonyms & Antonyms for ropy

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples of ropy in a Sentence

The passengers looked a bit ropy after the bumpy flight. because the paint was so old, it was ropy and couldn't be smoothly applied to the wood

Recent Examples on the Web With a rocker’s bleached-out shag, ropy arms vined with tattoos and jangly silver bracelets, and skintight jeans slashed by rips and rivets, Mr. Webb was a proudly resolute bearer of the punk-glam torch, even as the decades moved inexorably along. — Penelope Green, New York Times, 16 Apr. 2020 Nearly 2m Ukrainians have arrived since 2014, pushed by a ropy national economy and a war in the country’s east, and pulled by higher wages in Poland. — The Economist, 22 Feb. 2020 Calamari aren’t the usual thin threads of squid, but thick, ropy rectangles, piping hot and partnered with an Asian-inflected, peanut-tamarind-miso dipping sauce. — Rand Richards Cooper, courant.com, 18 Sep. 2019 Honda’s updates to the Fit’s suspension and steering for 2018 only slightly button down its ropy behavior. — Alexander Stoklosa, Car and Driver, 19 Jan. 2018 Pastas are a forceful presence on the tight menu, including ropy rye-flour bucatini coiling among fat fresh clams and chunks of pancetta. — Mike Sula, Chicago Reader, 13 Dec. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ropy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.