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 Everybody’s going to be a critic and troll and be icky on social media. — Selome Hailu, Variety, 5 June 2026 Jake’s latest column explores why the editor of seminal BBC sitcom The Office found an AI fix for a punchline problem that was too icky for the industry. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 29 May 2026 Yes, the guys, especially the dentist (ick) and the icky bride-shopping commanders are creeping and disturbing. — Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026 Vegas goalie Carter Hart, icky narrative and all, was the best player in the series. — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 27 May 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
  • Discard soy sauce that smells unpleasant, has a sour taste, or contains mold.
    — Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Cedarwood Oil Cedarwood is another essential oil with an unpleasant smell to mice as well as other pests.
    — Emily Benda Gaylord, The Spruce, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of unpleasant
Adjective
  • Avoid acidic cleaners like vinegar or lemon, as well as harsh chemicals and abrasive tools, to protect the glaze.
    — Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The frustration within the Democratic caucus immediately prompted some calls for harsh consequences.
    — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 5 Sep. 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 accident was one of the Portuguese capital’s worst tragedies in recent memory and cast a shadow over the city’s ongoing tourism boom.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The must-read Falling during a hike can lead to a serious injury, or even worse.
    — Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of bad
Adjective
  • Fatu hit a nasty flying Samoan Spike on D’Angelo and pinned him.
    — Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Unglazed Ceramic And Stoneware A beautiful stoneware or ceramic dish can leave nasty scratches on your stovetop’s surface.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of nasty
Adjective
  • But the core four aren’t the only transplants from Woodsboro, as Ghostface soon rears its ugly head, directly targeting them and whomever else is caught up in their orbit.
    — Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Especially if ugly seasons like last year pile up and the problem continues to snowball.
    — James Mirtle, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of ugly
Adjective
  • Gasly’s pole and seventh-place finish comes on a weekend that started sour for Alpine.
    — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • And now all they’re left with is the sour, bitter taste of having been played.
    — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of sour
Adjective
  • Anne Hathaway is a leftist, woke, horrible choice for DAYS OF THUNDER NASCAR audience who are MAGA.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2026
  • These two rubber bands in our throat are affected by everything from hormones to psychology to a bad day to a horrible night’s sleep to the sniffles or whatever.
    — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 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 7 Sep. 2026.

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