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
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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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Playing a French player at Roland Garros is usually one of the more unpleasant tasks in tennis, given how rowdy the crowd can get when rooting for one of their own on Court Philippe-Chatrier.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
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But for all of those unpleasant aspects, the series’ ultimate concentration is on the Marines as a worthy organization devoted to helping mostly young men learn discipline, honor and the proper mechanics for a pull-up.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Why do some chocolate bars exhibit complex flavor notes like floral, caramel, and gentle woody, while others taste harsh, bitter, and astringent?—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
18 Oct. 2025
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Where rallies are taking place Nearly daily protests in metro Detroit this year have been observed as being peaceful, though sometimes Trump supporters and protesters exchange harsh words.—
Darcie Moran,
Freep.com,
18 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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So sorry, fantasy coaches and anybody that bet on me, my bad.—
Michael Nowels,
Mercury News,
20 Oct. 2025
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Joseph had maybe his worst day of the year.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The Twits are so gross and puerile and nasty in the book.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
17 Oct. 2025
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New York, though, has a nasty triumvirate in Carter, Thibodeaux and Brian Burns, the last of whom is having an early career year with seven sacks.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The Broncos escaped, but this was ugly.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
20 Oct. 2025
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On the other side, there was just as much commotion, but these conversations were almost hysterical — and far uglier.—
Julyssa Lopez,
Rolling Stone,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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There are even some savory notes that pop, like sweet and sour barbecue and a bit of umami soy sauce, but these are evened out by sweeter and spicier flavors like vanilla, black pepper, and honey.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
19 Oct. 2025
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Also known as sour tea, hibiscus tea is rich in antioxidants, including vitamin C, carotenoids, and anthocyanins.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Football is a way of bringing people together irrespective of their faith, colour or religion and this disgusting decision does the exact opposite.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
18 Oct. 2025
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These are more disgusting smears peddled by the media and billboard law firms.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Icky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/icky. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
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