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
  • Between 60% and 70% of new Ebola cases are being detected among people who were not already being monitored as contacts, meaning health workers may only discover infections after patients become sick and have had opportunities to expose others.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • News host had brain surgery to remove a tumor, her mother got diagnosed with brain cancer, her younger brother, Peter, suffered injuries from a car accident, and her father got very sick a week before her wedding.
    — Diane J. Cho, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 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
  • Sensing a disconnect or worse, a feeling of being forgotten, Campbell this summer invited some of the men who wrote those letters to campus.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Dry weather periods are expected in Colorado, and wildfires tend to be worse during these times.
    — Callie Zanandrie, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of bad
Adjective
  • Across social media, travelers this summer have been opening up about stories of rocky crossings, ill passengers and crews handing out sickness bags.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The Green Lantern, a secondary figure in the DC Comics pantheon, had the ill luck to be trapped in a 2011 Ryan Reynolds film even its director didn’t like.
    — Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of ill
Adjective
  • The Cowboys stuffed three rushing attempts before a fourth down sack from Isaiah Land.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Backup quarterback Orion Olmstead failed to complete a pass and his fourth down run came up two yards short.
    — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of down

Browse Nearby Words

peaks
peaky
peal
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Peaky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peaky. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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