stickier; stickiest
1
3
: tending to stick
4
a
: disagreeable, unpleasant
came to a sticky end
c
: difficult, problematic
a sticky situation
5
: excessively sentimental : cloying
Examples of sticky in a Sentence
The sap is very sticky.
There is a sticky substance on the table.
The paint was still sticky.
The weather was hot and sticky.
Recent Examples on the Web
Add up to 1/4 cup remaining flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, as needed, if dough is too sticky.
—
Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 3 Feb. 2026
Over the last few years, a mix of economic hurdles, like rapidly rising prices caused by sticky inflation, has helped to drive borrowers' reliance on credit cards upward and high average credit card rates have further propelled cardholders' balances upward.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026
In the years following, Thomas went on to write and produce songs for Zendaya (another child-star alum), Post Malone, Kehlani, Drake, and Jack Harlow, contracting out his ear for sticky melodies and accessible lyricism all while quietly releasing mixtapes under his own name in obscurity.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026
At least in Mariah Carey’s world, where even an unseasonably sticky weekend didn’t stand a chance with the Queen of Christmas in the house.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sticky
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Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 3 Feb. 2026
Over the last few years, a mix of economic hurdles, like rapidly rising prices caused by sticky inflation, has helped to drive borrowers' reliance on credit cards upward and high average credit card rates have further propelled cardholders' balances upward.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026
In the years following, Thomas went on to write and produce songs for Zendaya (another child-star alum), Post Malone, Kehlani, Drake, and Jack Harlow, contracting out his ear for sticky melodies and accessible lyricism all while quietly releasing mixtapes under his own name in obscurity.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026
At least in Mariah Carey’s world, where even an unseasonably sticky weekend didn’t stand a chance with the Queen of Christmas in the house.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sticky
Cite this Entry
“Sticky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sticky. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sticky
adjective
stickier; stickiest
1
a
: adhesive entry 1, gluey
sticky syrup
b
: coated with a sticky substance
the tabletop was sticky
3
: tending to stick
sticky windows
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