as in unpleasant
not giving pleasure to the mind or senses
the novel has an icky sentimentality that makes my skin crawl
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of icky
Wryly tender and respectfully told, director John Duigan's coming-of-age romance is a warm and fuzzy confection that stops short of being icky.
—
Michelle Kung, EW.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Here’s where things could get really icky for consumers: Right now, the lion’s share of cost pressures aren’t even coming from tariff-sensitive goods.
—Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025
The researchers noted ginger can help to settle the gastrointestinal tract and prevent stomach contractions that can trigger that icky nausea feeling.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 13 Aug. 2025
That said, those action-horror scenes are pleasurably icky.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for icky
Michelle Kung, EW.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Here’s where things could get really icky for consumers: Right now, the lion’s share of cost pressures aren’t even coming from tariff-sensitive goods.
—Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025
The researchers noted ginger can help to settle the gastrointestinal tract and prevent stomach contractions that can trigger that icky nausea feeling.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 13 Aug. 2025
That said, those action-horror scenes are pleasurably icky.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for icky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for icky
Adjective
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Its natural deodorizing properties help neutralize the unpleasant smells associated with pets, according to Stein.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
1 Nov. 2025
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The 75-year-old ginkgo trees have been wafting the unpleasant smell into the air at the Northern California park, forcing residents to brave the stench that is comparable to vomit, The Sacramento Bee and SFGATE report.—
Natalia Senanayake,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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According to the woman, her parents’ reasoning for denying her requests was rooted in a harsh lesson about independence.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
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Instead of buying special cleaners or reaching for harsh chemicals to clean around your home, look to your medicine cabinet for a solution.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Smears on non-sensor areas of the tiara are like bug debris on your hood, aesthetically unpleasing but not harmful.—
Eric Tegler,
Popular Mechanics,
1 Oct. 2019
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His side's inability to finish off the game against Burnley on the other hand was very unpleasing.—
SI.com,
SI.com,
1 Feb. 2018
Adjective
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Democrats are favored to win both gubernatorial races this year, so a GOP upset in either state would be a bad sign for the party currently locked out of power in Washington.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
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Nick Saban certainly made more good decisions than bad ones during his run to seven national championships as a college football coach.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The discrepancy has divided voters, stirred up nasty social media exchanges and even inspired an 18-year-old Lakota grad to throw his hat in the district's school board race.—
Grace Tucker,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
29 Oct. 2025
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And any school or school district that does try to discriminate, that man right there will probably first send you a nasty gram and then drop the hammer.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The long-range scoring of Sandell and Thomas provided the night’s most memorable moments, but Mateer helped pace the offense after an ugly 99-yard first half, racking up 252 yards in the second.—
David Ubben,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
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Advertisement Ugly sentiments deserve ugly art, though Jude takes a nuanced stance on this matter.—
Andy Crump,
Time,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Martuni’s, a beloved downtown piano-bar, takes a more playful approach with a colorful quartet of fruit-forward martinis, from sour apple and watermelon to pineapple and creamsicle.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Nov. 2025
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The sour-sweet smell turned into a rich caramel aroma that quickly filled the barn.—
Ivy Odom,
Southern Living,
1 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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And just SoundCloud having horrible protection.—
Mackenzie Cummings-Grady,
Billboard,
4 Nov. 2025
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Unfortunately, Los Angeles received some horrible news regarding Doncic and Reaves ahead of its matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Icky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/icky. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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