Synonyms of sticky

sticky

adjective

ˈsti-kē 

1

as in adhesive

tending to adhere to objects upon contact

both sides of the tape are sticky, making it a little tricky to work with

Synonyms & Similar Words

• adhesive
• gummy
• adherent
• glutinous
• gluey
• tacky
• tenacious
• viscous
• clingy
• gooey
• gelatinous
• viscid
• syrupy
• ropy
• tarry
• pitchy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• nonviscous
• nonadhesive

2

as in humid

containing or characterized by an uncomfortable amount of moisture

a warm sticky day when all we wanted to do was sit somewhere with air-conditioning

Synonyms & Similar Words

• humid
• damp
• moist
• muggy
• wet
• sultry
• tropical
• heavy
• oppressive
• tropic
• steamy
• subtropical
• sweltering
• clammy
• summery
• torrid
• saturated
• soggy
• dripping
• semitropical
• suffocating
• soaked
• sodden
• stuffy
• smothering
• dank
• stifling
• sopping
• close
• drenched
• waterlogged
• soaking
• summerlike
• washed
• subhumid
• watery
• bathed
• watered
• awash
• soppy
• doused
• soused

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dry
• fresh
• cool
• refreshing
• crisp
• bracing
• dusty
• arid
• dehydrated
• baked
• scorched
• burned
• thirsty
• droughty
• desert
• semiarid
• parched
• invigorating
• sunbaked
• waterless
• sere
• seared

3

as in difficult

requiring exceptional skill or caution in performance or handling

an especially sticky conversation about money matters

Synonyms & Similar Words

• difficult
• tough
• sensitive
• problematic
• complicated
• tricky
• delicate
• hairy
• thorny
• nasty
• touchy
• spiny
• hard
• problem
• knotty
• ticklish
• prickly
• complex
• catchy
• dodgy
• serious
• painful
• tricksy
• intricate
• troublesome
• abstract
• stubborn
• abstruse
• recondite
• vexing
• involved
• worrisome
• scabrous
• vexatious
• oppressive
• onerous
• inconvenient
• troublous
• stressful
• burdensome
• importunate
• exhausting
• demanding
• exacting
• discommoding

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• easy
• simple
• manageable
• straightforward
• uncomplicated
• painless
• effortless
• unproblematic
• undemanding

4

as in sentimental

appealing to the emotions in an obvious and tiresome way

sticky love scenes that will bore cynics to death

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sentimental
• sloppy
• wet
• gooey
• fuzzy
• drippy
• sugary
• cloying
• mushy
• slushy
• saccharine
• soupy
• mawkish
• sappy
• soppy
• sugarcoated
• corny
• schmaltzy
• maudlin
• chocolate-box
• spoony
• lovey-dovey
• fruity
• nostalgic
• dreamy
• soapy
• feel-good
• moony
• novelettish
• sudsy
• moonstruck
• melodramatic
• insipid
• vapid
• misty-eyed
• tasteless
• watery
• cutesy
• starry-eyed
• flat
• soft-boiled
• soap-operatic
• twee

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unsentimental
• unadulterated
• unvarnished
• cynical
• hardheaded
• hard-edged
• antisentimental
• hard-boiled

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of sticky

Pork lacquered with a sweet, sticky glaze overflowed from the center of the pillowy bun. — Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026

To save her hobby and help other bakers, she and friend, cofounder, and fellow sourdough enthusiast Alexis Dalinka set out to solve the sticky problem of cleaning dough and sourdough starter off of surfaces and tools. — Nina Elder, Time, 15 Oct. 2026

The spike in core CPI shows price pressures are broadening into other categories beyond energy, experts noted, a sign inflation remains sticky. — Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

With inflation remaining sticky, the central bank may need to raise rates higher and keep them there for longer in 2027, said Christopher Rupkey, chief economist at Fwdbonds. — Michelle Fox,sean Conlon,sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026

Phrases Containing sticky

• sticky wicket