Synonyms of tacky

tacky 1 of 2

adjective (1)

1

as in inappropriate

marked by an obvious lack of style or good taste

it was tacky to wear sneakers to the wedding

tacky plastic flowers

Synonyms & Similar Words

• inappropriate
• cheesy
• unsuitable
• trashy
• tasteless
• incorrect
• unfashionable
• wrong
• dowdy
• inelegant
• cheap
• loud
• ticky-tacky
• grotesque
• unstylish
• styleless
• unseemly
• unbecoming
• outmoded
• tawdry
• out-of-date
• coarse
• gaudy
• garish
• crude
• kitschy
• vulgar
• common
• graceless
• shoddy
• showy
• glitzy
• ostentatious
• flashy
• low-grade
• sleazy
• unrefined
• passé
• inferior
• kitsch
• second-rate
• lousy
• splashy
• junky
• overdone

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• elegant
• classy
• appropriate
• tasteful
• sophisticated
• fine
• fashionable
• posh
• stylish
• classic
• chic
• exquisite
• suitable
• proper
• smart
• right
• correct
• fitting
• becoming
• simple
• seemly
• ritzy
• conservative
• neat
• modern
• quiet
• handsome
• understated
• restrained
• genteel
• contemporary
• refined
• up-to-date
• in
• happening
• modish
• swank
• à la mode

2

as in dilapidated

showing signs of advanced wear and tear and neglect

a tacky old couch that needed new upholstery

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dilapidated
• neglected
• shabby
• miserable
• tatty
• dumpy
• desolate
• scruffy
• seedy
• tired
• tattered
• sleazy
• scrubby
• grungy
• mangy
• abandoned
• ratty
• ragged
• threadbare
• gone to seed
• timeworn
• ruined
• tumbledown
• down-at-the-heels
• beat-up
• broken
• mean
• run-down
• dog-eared
• moth-eaten
• bombed-out
• tatterdemalion
• unkept
• dingy
• damaged
• decrepit
• deteriorated
• forlorn
• wrecked
• destroyed
• ramshackle
• rickety
• decaying
• deteriorating
• godforsaken
• bedraggled
• worn-out
• broken-down
• injured
• hurt
• rackety
• impaired
• harmed
• rattletrap

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• new
• fresh
• brand-new
• maintained
• kept-up
• reconstructed
• spiffy
• patched
• smart
• mended
• rebuilt
• cared-for
• spruce

tacky

2 of 2

adjective (2)

ˈta-kē 

as in adhesive

tending to adhere to objects upon contact

don't touch the walls while the fresh paint is still tacky

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• nonviscous
• nonadhesive

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of tacky

Adjective

The bravura production and costume design are respectively by Suzie Davies and Jacqueline Durran, both correctly tipping the outrageous into the tacky. —Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026

Too big, too flashy, too red, too everything — a tacky pile of bombast in the vein of the Fontainebleau Hotel. —Christopher Robbins, Curbed, 9 Feb. 2026

Roan's look was criticized by some, who deemed it tacky, but cheered by fans of her fearlessness. —Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Feb. 2026

Increase mixer speed to medium-low; beat until a soft, tacky, elastic dough forms, 10 to 15 minutes. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 3 Feb. 2026