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
  • If a sick animal did end up at a slaughterhouse, the US Department of Agriculture’s thorough meat inspection system would very likely spot it, separate it from others and deem it US Suspect.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
  • But when McGinley was a teen-ager, Michael became sick with AIDS and moved home to New Jersey.
    — Chris Wiley, New Yorker, 4 July 2026
Definition of sick
Adjective
  • This fragmented model creates friction and quietly drains profitability through unbilled hours, margin erosion from poorly staffed projects and elevated turnover when top talent hits operational roadblocks.
    — DJ Paoni, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • 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
Definition of poorly
Adjective
  • Despite concerns that California’s costs and regulations are bad for business, the state has attracted an unprecedented pile of capital this year, and no other state is even close.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • The Giants are now 39-54 this season, two games up on Colorado (38-57) for the worst record in the NL and second-worst in MLB.
    — Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 10 July 2026
Definition of bad
Adjective
  • Sometimes this was committed to good, such as the Marshall Plan and the Peace Corps, and sometimes to ill, as in a series of military blunders meant to quash godless Communism.
    — Jim Rasenberger, The Atlantic, 4 July 2026
  • However, a year and a half into her service, she was taken to a hospital in Philadelphia after falling ill, and the doctors discovered Robert Shurtleff was actually a woman.
    — Catherine Messier, The Providence Journal, 4 July 2026
Definition of ill
Adjective
  • If Rice and new running back Kenneth Walker can serve as the team’s early down answers that keep defenses honest, that should open up opportunity for Mahomes to finally see some open looks downfield again.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026
  • While last year was a down year compared to the year before, Ovechkin still appeared in all 82 games and potted 64 points, with 32 goals and 32 assists.
    — Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 July 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 13 Jul. 2026.

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