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

Once a certain shape is cut all the way around, peel off the backing of the adhesive sheet and place a piece of scrap fabric over the shape. — Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 July 2026

This plant climbs by tendrils with adhesive disks, so use with caution around delicate surfaces. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 12 July 2026

Noun

Like warm water, heat from a blowdryer releases the sticker’s adhesive for an easy way to remove it from the glass surface. — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 6 Aug. 2026

Initially, the adhesive adhering to the tiles would dry so quickly that workers would spit on it to slow the process down, a practice NASA identified and discontinued. — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026