Synonyms of adhesive

adhesive 1 of 2

adjective

ad-ˈhē-siv 

as in sticky

tending to adhere to objects upon contact

walked barefoot through adhesive, clayey mud

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sticky
• adherent
• gummy
• tacky
• glutinous
• tenacious
• gluey
• viscid
• clingy
• viscous
• gelatinous
• gooey
• syrupy
• ropy
• tarry
• pitchy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• nonviscous
• nonadhesive

adhesive

2 of 2

noun

as in glue

a substance used to stick things together

prefers postage stamps coated with adhesive so that she doesn't have to do any licking

Synonyms & Similar Words

• glue
• cement
• size
• epoxy
• bond
• mucilage
• epoxy resin
• gum
• water glass
• superglue
• paste
• goo
• library paste
• dope

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of adhesive

Adjective

In 1960, the brothers bought an unsold collection of adhesive soccer player prints from a company in Milan and sold them at their family newsstand in Modena, Italy. — Donald Keough, Christian Science Monitor, 6 July 2026

The adhesive trap under a prep table with a slicer wasn’t cleared and contained five dead roaches. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 26 June 2026

Noun

Due to the materials and adhesives present, the smell ​at the scene ⁠was pungent, causing eye irritation, CCTV said. — Reuters, NBC news, 9 July 2026

These are the raw materials for paints, adhesives, pharmaceuticals, detergents, and metal processing. — Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026