peaky

adjective

ˈpē-kē How to pronounce peaky (audio)
Definition of peakynext
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

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 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
  1. sick
  2. poorly
  3. bad
  4. ill
  5. down
Adjective
  • Ahead of Wednesday night’s game against the Buffalo Sabres, Ridly Greig was nursing his own lower-body injury, and Tyler Kleven was too sick to play.
    — Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2026
  • The state’s health department cautions that the true number is most certainly higher because not everyone who gets sick seeks medical care.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 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
  • One option for overhauling the committee, according to people familiar with the situation, is broadening its focus beyond China to explore issues related to other bad foreign actors.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Phillips caught a bad break when her approach to the green hit a tree branch on its upward flight and dropped 20 yards short of the green.
    — Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of bad
Adjective
  • Instead of staging a watch party Tuesday night, Elleson and his wife, Sue, visited seriously ill people in Chicago-area hospitals.
    — Russell Lissau, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Travel insurance can bridge these gaps and cover expenses if someone is injured, falls ill, or must be medically evacuated while traveling.
    — Aly J Yale, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of ill
Adjective
  • Proposition 37, which would create a down-payment assistance program to help middle-class Californians buy a home, was approved by voters.
    — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Unlike with Bednar, the Yankees did not extend the qualifying offer to Chisholm, who endured a down season in 2026.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of down

Browse Nearby Words

peaks
peaky
peal
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Cite this Entry

“Peaky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peaky. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

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