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
Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Feb. 2026
During an initial ascent, athletes wear adhesive skins on the bottoms of their skis, which enable them to ski uphill.
—Mark Scaglione, NBC news, 3 Feb. 2026
Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 23 Feb. 2026
Volatile organic compounds may be added to menstrual products as part of fragrances, adhesives or other product components.
—Jenni Shearston, The Conversation, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for adhesive
Adjective
The romantic Netflix drama is set in London in the early 1800s, and while bandages existed, small adhesive bandages, like the one Araminta wore, didn't come around until later, a TikToker pointed out.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Feb. 2026
During an initial ascent, athletes wear adhesive skins on the bottoms of their skis, which enable them to ski uphill.
—Mark Scaglione, NBC news, 3 Feb. 2026
Noun
Avoid soaking costume jewelry, as the adhesive and dyes used in these pieces can be sensitive to water.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 23 Feb. 2026
Volatile organic compounds may be added to menstrual products as part of fragrances, adhesives or other product components.
—Jenni Shearston, The Conversation, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for adhesive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adhesive
Adjective
-
Taking an inventive approach can solve a sticky problem, while empathy keeps talks human and fair.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Use yellow sticky cards to monitor for pests.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The facility had eight dead/dying cockroaches in a glue trap in the liquor storage area.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Overall, this is currently a race between paste and glue.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Europe’s regulatory environment and environmental standards could also pose a disproportionate burden for local farmers adherent to the laws, farmers have said.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
9 Jan. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Adhesive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adhesive. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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