as in incomplete
not complete or clear or having a lot of details
His memory of the incident was sketchy. Details are still sketchy, but there are rumors that next year's model will be completely redesigned.
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Recent Examples of sketchy
This is coming from a mega-billionaire who has a pretty sketchy history himself.
—
David Weigel, semafor.com, 10 Apr. 2026
From a rough boat ride in Mozambique to a downpour in Poland, this water-resistant backpack with more than 12,666 five-star ratings on Amazon has kept my valuables dry in some pretty sketchy situations.
—Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 8 Apr. 2026
Michigan’s depth is a bit sketchy, especially at guard.
—The Athletic College Basketball Staff, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2026
This is the cloud forest, yes, but its elevation is actually lower, so those whose adjustment in the city was sketchy tend to find relief.
—Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sketchy
David Weigel, semafor.com, 10 Apr. 2026
From a rough boat ride in Mozambique to a downpour in Poland, this water-resistant backpack with more than 12,666 five-star ratings on Amazon has kept my valuables dry in some pretty sketchy situations.
—Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 8 Apr. 2026
Michigan’s depth is a bit sketchy, especially at guard.
—The Athletic College Basketball Staff, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2026
This is the cloud forest, yes, but its elevation is actually lower, so those whose adjustment in the city was sketchy tend to find relief.
—Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sketchy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sketchy
Adjective
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Late or incomplete entries will be void.—
AJC.com,
AJC.com,
7 May 2026
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Like other defense lawyers, Howard said the FBI’s probe was sloppy and incomplete, noting that Moïse’s body was removed and missing for three days.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
5 May 2026
Adjective
-
Lincoln often spoke of the unfinished work of our nation and the pursuit of a more perfect union, the museum director noted.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
3 May 2026
-
Conversations replay in their mind, unfinished tasks resurface, and their nervous system seems unwilling to power down.—
Danielle Wilhour,
Washington Post,
3 May 2026
Adjective
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Perhaps clever legal strategies might find ways to meet the justices’ new standards, or perhaps experts might come up with new metrics to mathematically prove discrimination, even when intent is vague.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
2 May 2026
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There’s a false perception in pop music that the best way to connect with the masses is to keep things broad — that vague generalizations are easier for people to latch onto.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
2 May 2026
Adjective
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The cause of the explosion was unclear but the incident underscores safety concerns for vessels thinking about making the voyage.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
4 May 2026
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What action triggered the algorithm to move Turmus from surveillance to the kill list is unclear.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
4 May 2026
Adjective
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The book’s cover depicts a hazy sunset over a Hollywood sign that is drowning in floodwaters.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
4 May 2026
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The immediate aftermath of a split tends to be less clear, a hazy maelstrom that can involve medicinal tubs of ice cream, insomnia by way of intrusive thoughts, and an aversion to wearing anything other than sweats.—
Paula Mejía,
The Atlantic,
3 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sketchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sketchy. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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