variants
also ropey
as in thick
being of a consistency that resists flow
because the paint was so old, it was ropy and couldn't be smoothly applied to the wood
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 ropy
Closing out the first decade of sound film, Son of Frankenstein has far more ropey dialogue than entrancing atmosphere or a memorable arc for the Monster.
—
Rory Doherty, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2025
With a rocker’s bleached-out shag, ropy arms vined with tattoos and jangly silver bracelets, and skintight jeans slashed by rips and rivets, Mr. Webb was a proudly resolute bearer of the punk-glam torch, even as the decades moved inexorably along.
—Penelope Green, New York Times, 16 Apr. 2020
Nearly 2m Ukrainians have arrived since 2014, pushed by a ropy national economy and a war in the country’s east, and pulled by higher wages in Poland.
—The Economist, 22 Feb. 2020
Calamari aren’t the usual thin threads of squid, but thick, ropy rectangles, piping hot and partnered with an Asian-inflected, peanut-tamarind-miso dipping sauce.
—Rand Richards Cooper, courant.com, 18 Sep. 2019
Honda’s updates to the Fit’s suspension and steering for 2018 only slightly button down its ropy behavior.
—Alexander Stoklosa, Car and Driver, 19 Jan. 2018
Pastas are a forceful presence on the tight menu, including ropy rye-flour bucatini coiling among fat fresh clams and chunks of pancetta.
—Mike Sula, Chicago Reader, 13 Dec. 2017
Rory Doherty, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2025
With a rocker’s bleached-out shag, ropy arms vined with tattoos and jangly silver bracelets, and skintight jeans slashed by rips and rivets, Mr. Webb was a proudly resolute bearer of the punk-glam torch, even as the decades moved inexorably along.
—Penelope Green, New York Times, 16 Apr. 2020
Nearly 2m Ukrainians have arrived since 2014, pushed by a ropy national economy and a war in the country’s east, and pulled by higher wages in Poland.
—The Economist, 22 Feb. 2020
Calamari aren’t the usual thin threads of squid, but thick, ropy rectangles, piping hot and partnered with an Asian-inflected, peanut-tamarind-miso dipping sauce.
—Rand Richards Cooper, courant.com, 18 Sep. 2019
Honda’s updates to the Fit’s suspension and steering for 2018 only slightly button down its ropy behavior.
—Alexander Stoklosa, Car and Driver, 19 Jan. 2018
Pastas are a forceful presence on the tight menu, including ropy rye-flour bucatini coiling among fat fresh clams and chunks of pancetta.
—Mike Sula, Chicago Reader, 13 Dec. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ropy
thick
Adjective
-
Highlights include the raw sampler—mussels blanketed in a thick puree of herbs, scallop crudo bathed in homemade almond milk—and a bouillabaisse accompanied by insanely crunchy cheesy bread for sopping.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 May 2026
-
Methane combustion produces mainly carbon dioxide and water vapor rather than thick soot and toxic chemicals.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ropy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ropy. Accessed 25 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
