stick-in-the-mud

Definition of stick-in-the-mudnext
as in conservative
a person with old-fashioned ideas the committee is dominated by old stick-in-the-muds who have little interest in bringing new ideas to the table

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 stick-in-the-mud Bostwick starred as the naive stick-in-the-mud and fiancé of Janice, Brad. Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025 In the Herbert Ross film, Bacon played big-city teen Ren McCormack, who moves to the small town of Bomont, where its stick-in-the-mud local minster, the Rev. Shaw Moore (John Lithgow), has instituted a ban on dancing. EW.com, 9 Nov. 2023 David Corenswet plays, quite literally, a stick-in-the-mud character. Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stick-in-the-mud
Noun
  • Many conservatives expressed concern over taxpayer money going to the ballroom, however, and have sought to authorize the project without funding it directly.
    Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 6 May 2026
  • There has been a lot of pearl-clutching concern among both liberals and conservatives about New York City’s future — and the nation’s — with socialist Mayor Mamdani.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 4 May 2026
Noun
  • Purrazzo also has the opportunity to help veterans and first-responders in need.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
  • In 1984, Monsanto and six other chemical companies agreed to pay a $180 million settlement to Vietnam veterans who were exposed to the chemical herbicide Agent Orange during the Vietnam War.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2026
Noun
  • There’s no old fogey-ness to Lorne.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2026
  • For the benefit of us old fogies?
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • As a child, David loved collecting fossils and animals.
    Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 8 May 2026
  • During one visit, riders might notice Siegel’s photograph of a mammoth tusk — a fossil uncovered by crews during construction of the station.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Stick-in-the-mud.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stick-in-the-mud. Accessed 14 May. 2026.

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