icky

adjective

ˈi-kē How to pronounce icky (audio)
Definition of ickynext
as in unpleasant
not giving pleasure to the mind or senses the novel has an icky sentimentality that makes my skin crawl

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of icky In Portland, the squabble between the city and the Trail Blazers feels icky and wholly unnecessary. — Chris Branch, New York Times, 23 July 2026 But our wedding, that like really just felt icky. — Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 18 June 2026 With this rare foray into horror, Demme directs with his customary warmth, wit, and humanity, but never shies away from the icky details. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 9 June 2026 Everybody’s going to be a critic and troll and be icky on social media. — Selome Hailu, Variety, 5 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for icky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for icky
  1. unpleasant
  2. harsh
  3. unpleasing
  4. bad
  5. nasty
  6. ugly
  7. sour
  8. horrible
Adjective
  • Other research suggests trypophobic people find hole clusters as unpleasant as pictures of skin disease and that people with a history of skin problems may find hole clusters particularly uncomfortable to look at.
    — Gabriela Galvin, Scientific American, 26 Oct. 2026
  • That is followed by one focused on exploring conventional notions of beauty by uncovering the unexpected draw of unpleasant scents with Naïla Hamayed, Givaudan’s fragrance evaluator.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of unpleasant
Adjective
  • However, perovskites are notoriously vulnerable to moisture and harsh chemical environments, posing a clear problem in seawater.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2026
  • With another harsh winter approaching, those still there face death from hunger or disease.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of harsh
Adjective
  • The identity of the unpleasing Lindsay Marriott’s slayer has no pressing interest.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 July 2026
  • The remarks not only referred to the aesthetics of the game – tedious matches devoid of skillful merit that were unpleasing to watch.
    — Cesar R. Torres, The Conversation, 26 May 2026
Definition of unpleasing
Adjective
  • The album’s experimental bent is also what keeps the music from slipping into parody or, even worse, po-faced sincerity.
    — Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Judges failing to award fees and government agencies unreasonably resisting paying them make the problem even worse.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of bad
Adjective
  • With American Family Field rocking, Ashby reared back and threw a nasty curve that Díaz tried to hold up on.
    — Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Of course, there has been some criticism of this plan, as France is experiencing some pretty nasty civil unrest at the moment, but the game will go ahead, with the Saints having been in the country for a few days already.
    — Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of nasty
Adjective
  • The league and its players’ union are heading for an ugly fight, years in the making.
    — Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Cooling plates manage heat during normal operation, while passive barriers and electrical isolation are designed to contain the ugly edge cases that Beta’s testing process intentionally triggers.
    — IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of ugly
Adjective
  • Wells Fargo expects shoppers to increasingly favor value packs and alternatives that use less cocoa, including gummies, sour candy, wafers and caramel.
    — Deena Zaidi, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2026
  • First, a layer of malt, then a few sour worms and a layer of my dirt mixture.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of sour
Adjective
  • In most versions of the Greek mythology, Medusa is a beautiful woman that was cursed by the goddess Athena with a head of snakes instead of hair and the horrible ability to turn people to stone with just one look.
    — Lynsey Eidell, Glamour, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The battle is between that horrible atmosphere and some of the horrific candidates that have been nominated by the Democratic Party.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of horrible

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Cite this Entry

“Icky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/icky. Accessed 3 Nov. 2026.

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