PEAKY Synonyms: 87 Similar and Opposite Words

peaky

adjective

ˈpē-kē

Definition of peaky

as in sick

temporarily suffering from a disorder of the body her mother announced that she still looked peaky, and felt her forehead for a fever

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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 peaky The Fenomeno’s widened and lengthened body—when compared to the Revuelto—has been designed in a very graphical way, with fewer lines, broad shoulders and surfaces, a long tail, and a peaky front. — Brett Berk, Robb Report, 19 Aug. 2025 The curveball in all this is Verstappen, whose Red Bull future has become a significant talking point once again amid the team’s difficulties with a peaky car that will surely test his championship defense. — Luke Smith, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025 In reality, though, because the TCL’s tone mapping is not as effective as that of the Samsung TV, the TCL’s brightness can cause clipping and leave the image looking ‘peaky’ and unbalanced. — John Archer, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024 Local surf guides will take wave riders to fun, peaky beach breaks or barreling reefs. — Noah Lederman, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2024 The powerband was peaky, with the turbos coming alive above 2500 rpm, accompanied by a distinct whistle. — Brett Berk, Car and Driver, 4 Sep. 2023

Recent Examples of Synonyms for peaky

Adjective

Khadijah had insisted on nursing their newborn Aziza with her own breast milk, but Latif discovers that only a few pouches remain in the fridge and formula makes his baby sick.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
As well as being a holy site, Lourdes attracts around 3 million pilgrims a year, including approximately 60,000 sick and disabled pilgrims.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of sick

Adjective

For however poorly things are going — and the bad tone set by the starters has leaked into some defensive lapses and some pressing at the plate — the Padres got themselves into a really favorable position before this.

— Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Sep. 2025
This involves having a poorly or non-functioning colon and is not usually reversible.

— Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 17 Aug. 2025

Definition of poorly

Adjective

This problem will only get worse, with new cancer cases projected to increase 67% by 2050.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026
In a world where true-crime shows of both the fictional and nonfictional variety run rampant on our screens, that’s probably not a bad corporate strategy.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of bad

Adjective

Unmoored, often ill with tuberculosis, and in and out of hospitals, Leigh valiantly continued to work, seemingly unconcerned about her precarious health.

— Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 21 Sep. 2026
One candidate looked tired and ill and gray and sweaty, while the other was (comparatively) energetic and neat and clean, with a fresh tan too.

— Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of ill

Adjective

Bass said her review would be a top down evaluation that scrutinizes the roles of dispatchers, supervisors and others involved in responding to reports of people behaving erratically.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
For a player that is worth so much, especially financially, to an organization’s success, Guerrero’s down year has led to some vitriol from the Blue Jays’ fan base.

— Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of down

Browse Nearby Words

peaks

peaky

peal

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“Peaky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peaky. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of peaky

adjective

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