sticky

adjective

ˈsti-kē How to pronounce sticky (audio)
Definition of stickynext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

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3
as in difficult
requiring exceptional skill or caution in performance or handling an especially sticky conversation about money matters

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4
as in sentimental
appealing to the emotions in an obvious and tiresome way sticky love scenes that will bore cynics to death

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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 sticky Windy weather and bees in your yard can help, but when conditions are calm or humidity levels are high, the pollen can be too sticky to move easily. — Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 15 July 2026 That sticky amyloid protein starts building up to form plaques in the brain about two decades before symptoms appear. — Lauran Neergaard, Fortune, 14 July 2026 The extra sticky top layer helps to keep your hands and feet from slipping during tricky yoga poses. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 14 July 2026 The insect also produces large amounts of sticky honeydew, which promotes the growth of black sooty mold—a plant disease—that can interfere with photosynthesis and coat leaves, branches, and outdoor surfaces. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for sticky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sticky
  1. adhesive
  2. humid
  3. difficult
  4. sentimental
  5. damp
  6. tough
  7. sloppy
  8. sensitive
Adjective
  • Stelo costs $99 a month for two 15-day sensors, along with applicators and adhesive patches to help keep the device in place.
    — Lauren Chan, STAT, 8 July 2026
  • The thin adhesive material can be applied directly to existing windows to reduce heat gain, block ultraviolet (UV) rays, and improve indoor comfort.
    — Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 July 2026
Definition of adhesive
Adjective
  • The weather pattern shifts late Thursday into Friday, and winds aloft help pull more moisture into Missouri, setting up a hotter, more humid weekend.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 14 July 2026
  • Once elevated, the particles become embedded within the Saharan Air Layer — a fast-moving, hot and very dry air mass that forms above the cooler, more humid air near the ocean surface.
    — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 14 July 2026
Definition of humid
Adjective
  • Her protectiveness of the island stretches back years, in part because Nantucket saved her, in a way, during a difficult time in her life.
    — Wendy Naugle, USA Today, 11 July 2026
  • In the book, Hollis asks Gigi to stay after a difficult conversation about the affair.
    — Max Gao, Variety, 11 July 2026
Definition of difficult
Adjective
  • Camilla also regularly wears pieces from the late Queen Elizabeth II’s collection, including brooches, tiaras and other sentimental pieces.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 15 July 2026
  • Kate also wore the bracelet to Wimbledon in early July and to a visit to Evelina London Children’s Hospital—no doubt the most sentimental addition to her bracelet stack.
    — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 13 July 2026
Definition of sentimental
Adjective
  • Larval fireflies spend their time underground or under damp logs and leaf litter.
    — Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 5 July 2026
  • Heat-protectant oils Some oils require application on damp hair or hair that’s about to be dried—those would be heat-protecting oils.
    — Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 5 July 2026
Definition of damp
Adjective
  • White, when give the chance, has displayed a diverse offensive game, a defensive bent and an ability to make tough shots.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026
  • The stakes for new avatar don’t feel quite as high—the specific circumstances around the former was a perfect storm that'll be tough to duplicate—but the music isn’t any less potent for it.
    — Lawrence Burney, Pitchfork, 16 July 2026
Definition of tough
Adjective
  • No one likes the sloppy tailoring of Octavius’s open-back suit, but Law loves the jacket.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 17 July 2026
  • This thick, brownish concoction, a kind of hot dog chili, is sloppy, packs some heat, and the fiery punch to the taste buds can be a surprise to the uninitiated.
    — USA TODAY Network, USA Today, 15 July 2026
Definition of sloppy
Adjective
  • High levels of fine particulate matter in the air from wildfire smoke may be unhealthy for sensitive groups, such as children and people with heart or lung conditions.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 July 2026
  • Right on the heels of Microsoft releasing a record number of security patches, a researcher has published exploit code that can enable low-privilege Windows accounts to make sensitive changes to administrator accounts.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 15 July 2026
Definition of sensitive

Phrases Containing sticky

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stickups
sticky
sticky wicket
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Cite this Entry

“Sticky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sticky. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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