as in dilemma
a difficult, puzzling, or embarrassing situation from which there is no easy escape
with both sets of in-laws insisting that we spend Thanksgiving with them, we were on a sticky wicket indeed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 wicket
To that, timestamps may prove a sticky wicket for a part of Baldoni’s argument against the Times.
—
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2025
The other sticky wicket in the Paramount-Skydance merger is Trump’s current lawsuit against CBS News.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2025
That third spot is a sticky wicket for a team projected to be just outside the top five in the game.
—Eno Sarris, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK published 18 September 2024
A cricketing powerhouse for decades, Pakistan's national team have suddenly found themselves on a sticky wicket.
—Harriet Marsden, theweek, 18 Sep. 2024
Much of its lexicon sounds both unapproachable and, well, just weird: sticky wicket, googly, yorker, jaffa, daisy cutter, silly mid off, maiden over, tickle, nurdle, trundler, paddle scoop, popping crease, golden duck.
—Chris Heath, The Atlantic, 25 July 2024
While reforms have been proposed in the past under other leaders, they have gotten caught up in a sticky wicket of state bureaucracy.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 20 June 2024
The situation is a sticky wicket, to use an old-fashioned term from the sport of cricket, for the countless interest groups that depend on money from the budget.
—Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 4 May 2024
In contrast, altering and editing an image can be a much more nuanced process that makes determining what part is from humans a sticky wicket.
—Drew McLellan, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2023
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2025
The other sticky wicket in the Paramount-Skydance merger is Trump’s current lawsuit against CBS News.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2025
That third spot is a sticky wicket for a team projected to be just outside the top five in the game.
—Eno Sarris, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK published 18 September 2024
A cricketing powerhouse for decades, Pakistan's national team have suddenly found themselves on a sticky wicket.
—Harriet Marsden, theweek, 18 Sep. 2024
Much of its lexicon sounds both unapproachable and, well, just weird: sticky wicket, googly, yorker, jaffa, daisy cutter, silly mid off, maiden over, tickle, nurdle, trundler, paddle scoop, popping crease, golden duck.
—Chris Heath, The Atlantic, 25 July 2024
While reforms have been proposed in the past under other leaders, they have gotten caught up in a sticky wicket of state bureaucracy.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 20 June 2024
The situation is a sticky wicket, to use an old-fashioned term from the sport of cricket, for the countless interest groups that depend on money from the budget.
—Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 4 May 2024
In contrast, altering and editing an image can be a much more nuanced process that makes determining what part is from humans a sticky wicket.
—Drew McLellan, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sticky wicket
Noun
-
Bigelow and screenwriter Noah Oppenheim construct a frighteningly plausible scenario in which a multitude of dilemmas—practical and personal, bureaucratic and existential—overlap in real time and at a mounting rate.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
5 Aug. 2025
-
Recent tours to the U.S. have been trickier, leaving them with the dilemma of whether sleep is really that important as kick-off times stretch into the early hours.—
Art de Roché,
New York Times,
31 July 2025
Noun
-
This predicament, occurring just five months after the airline's emergence from bankruptcy, initiated a rally predominantly led by United Airlines stock (NASDAQ: UAL), which saw a 10% increase.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Witnesses recalled the woman’s behavior at the time of her predicament.—
David Chiu,
People.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The sandwich is tiered with two goetta patties, lettuce, a special sauce (not tartar sauce) and pickles.—
Kaycee Sloan,
The Enquirer,
5 Aug. 2025
-
Cooked low and slow over oak or mesquite, brisket is sliced thick and served with minimal fuss—just a few pickles, onions, and a slice of white bread.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
3 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
While the best arms in the bullpen patched together 15 outs Saturday, there was no going to the well a second time Sunday, especially after Montas put the Mets in a 7-1 hole.—
Jerry Beach,
Forbes.com,
4 Aug. 2025
-
Fill the body with straw or dry grass, and tie off the arm and leg holes with twine to secure.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
In addition to the massive flight of capital from the country, the exodus of Russia’s tech professionals, and the disappearance of foreign direct investment, puts Putin in a bind.—
Time,
Time,
9 Aug. 2025
-
Putting carmakers in a bind The most recent EPA rule about vehicle emissions was finalized in 2024.—
Alan Jenn,
The Conversation,
5 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Diving down the rabbit hole can be exciting, but overstimulating.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
16 Aug. 2025
-
Develop Content Based On Article Performance Blog traffic is just the beginning of the SEO rabbit hole.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Whole home fans and swamp coolers, which bring in air from outside, should be avoided unless there is no other means to keep cool.—
James Bickerton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Aug. 2025
-
Instead, consider making a homemade air conditioner or swamp cooler.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
30 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sticky wicket.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sticky%20wicket. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share