as in sticky
tending to adhere to objects upon contact
walked barefoot through adhesive, clayey mud
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of adhesive
Dave Smith, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025
Let the adhesive dry and then test to see if your floorboard is firmly attached.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2025
Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
The heat can weaken the brush’s adhesive.
—Cody Godwin, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adhesive
Adjective
Tesla has issued at least eight recalls for the vehicle, including a recall in March affecting every single Cybertruck ever delivered through February 2025—some 46,000-plus vehicles—due to adhesive failure causing body panels to detach.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025
Let the adhesive dry and then test to see if your floorboard is firmly attached.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
Wilson was born with adhesive in her palms.
—Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
The heat can weaken the brush’s adhesive.
—Cody Godwin, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adhesive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adhesive
Adjective
-
Some rat poison pellets and sticky pads were being used to treat the problem.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Your head hurts, your socks are sticky, and you’re supposed to be focused on winning a championship.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Just stack the shoeboxes on top of each other, and secure them with string or glue before creating a way to hang it in your closet.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Then, glue on some plastic spiders and other Halloween symbols on each side for an extra festive effect.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
This particular kit is well-stocked, featuring classic first aid essentials like non-adherent pads, gauze, triple antibiotic ointment and BZK antiseptic wipes.—
Jessie Quinn,
USA Today,
15 Oct. 2025
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Here, then, are each of Guest’s features, ranked from least to most adherent to the laws of Guestiness.—
Anne Victoria Clark,
Vulture,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Adhesive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adhesive. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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