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

The bike rolls on lightweight cast aluminum wheels shod in sticky Metzeler Racetec RR K3 tires. — New Atlas, 30 July 2026

That particular measure of underlying inflation has been incredibly sticky and slow to ease because of the relative strength of the overall economy and the resilience of consumer spending. — Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 30 July 2026

And despite the heat outside, there’s always a line for their hot and sticky cinnamon rolls. — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026

Mix thoroughly for several minutes until the mixture becomes sticky and well incorporated — as tender as bread dough. — Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 July 2026

Phrases Containing sticky

• sticky wicket