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
So, while the prospect of a jumping spider might be icky, the biomechanics behind it are certainly interesting.
—
New Atlas, 5 Apr. 2025
If talking about age feels too icky, think of it more in terms of revivifying the party’s ideas and approach to meet the moment.
—Michelle Cottle, Mercury News, 29 May 2025
Plus, Devon’s dad and his dementia get played for laughs in a way that feels icky.
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 22 May 2025
Plus, it’s made without 15 common potentially icky nail polish ingredients.
—Siena Gagliano, Allure, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for icky
New Atlas, 5 Apr. 2025
If talking about age feels too icky, think of it more in terms of revivifying the party’s ideas and approach to meet the moment.
—Michelle Cottle, Mercury News, 29 May 2025
Plus, Devon’s dad and his dementia get played for laughs in a way that feels icky.
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 22 May 2025
Plus, it’s made without 15 common potentially icky nail polish ingredients.
—Siena Gagliano, Allure, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for icky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for icky
Adjective
-
Tribalism can and does spill over into much more unpleasant areas, from basic name-calling to more insidious abuse.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
1 Aug. 2025
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Disruptions in the ratio, like when there’s too much estrogen vs. testosterone, can cause unpleasant symptoms like weight gain, mood swings, and fatigue.—
Caitlin Pagán,
Verywell Health,
1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Late-night talk shows across the board are facing the harsh reality that declines in ad revenue can’t make up for burgeoning production costs.—
Liam Reilly,
CNN Money,
22 July 2025
-
The harsh reality is this: not all cell phone forensic extractions are created equal, and the most important evidence for trucking cases on the smartphone will be gone in days or weeks.—
Lars Daniel,
Forbes.com,
22 July 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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So the point is, if things feel especially bad, this is why.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
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If the individual begins throwing up, or if symptoms get worse or last for over an hour, then call 911.—
Chad Murphy,
The Enquirer,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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Unfortunately, later in the day, arguments about controversial issues like politics and religion could get nasty.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
31 July 2025
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After dropping Monday’s opener to the Twins – following a nasty delay between the top and bottom of the ninth – the Red Sox got right back on the horse.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
31 July 2025
Adjective
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These are the kind of ugly games that sometimes get played when GMs and coaches grow apart and pressure builds on their job securities and livelihoods.—
Pat Leonard,
Hartford Courant,
21 July 2025
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In 1996, Cantor died, and Lutnick, after an ugly succession battle with Cantor’s widow, Iris, took control.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
21 July 2025
Adjective
-
As of Tuesday, July 16, the list of draft beers is subject to change including a West Coast India pale ale, blonde ale and a fruited sour ale.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
July 20,
Sacbee.com,
20 July 2025
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Off-smell: If the maple syrup has a sour or musty odor, err on the side of caution and discard.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
19 July 2025
Adjective
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There is no way around it: Toilet brushes are disgusting.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
16 July 2025
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Nearly 200 pounds of disgusting mats and fur was removed, which equates to an average of 1.5 pounds per dog.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Icky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/icky. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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