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
• unstylish
• loud
• ticky-tacky
• ticky-tack
• styleless
• unseemly
• grotesque
• unbecoming
• outmoded
• tawdry
• out-of-date
• coarse
• gaudy
• garish
• kitschy
• crude
• vulgar
• common
• graceless
• shoddy
• showy
• glitzy
• kitsch
• ostentatious
• flashy
• passé
• sleazy
• low-grade
• unrefined
• junky
• inferior
• second-rate
• lousy
• splashy
• overdone

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• elegant
• classy
• tasteful
• appropriate
• sophisticated
• fine
• fashionable
• posh
• stylish
• chic
• classic
• exquisite
• suitable
• ritzy
• smart
• proper
• right
• correct
• fitting
• becoming
• simple
• seemly
• conservative
• neat
• quiet
• modern
• handsome
• understated
• restrained
• genteel
• contemporary
• refined
• up-to-date
• swanky
• swank
• in
• happening
• modish
• a la mode
• 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
• tired
• seedy
• tattered
• sleazy
• scrubby
• abandoned
• grungy
• mangy
• ratty
• ragged
• threadbare
• ruined
• gone to seed
• down-at-heel
• timeworn
• tumbledown
• down-at-the-heel
• broken
• down-at-the-heels
• mean
• beat-up
• run-down
• down-at-heels
• dog-eared
• moth-eaten
• damaged
• bombed-out
• tatterdemalion
• unkept
• dingy
• decrepit
• deteriorated
• wrecked
• forlorn
• destroyed
• deteriorating
• ramshackle
• decaying
• rickety
• 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
• gluey
• adherent
• glutinous
• clingy
• tenacious
• viscous
• viscid
• syrupy
• gelatinous
• gooey
• ropey
• ropy
• pitchy
• tarry

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• nonviscous
• nonadhesive

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of tacky

Adjective

Spoon into prepared baking pan, and spread in an even layer (dough will be stiff and tacky). —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2025

People were calling it tacky, brave, MFA garbage, heart wrenching. —Sarah Adler september 8, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025

Think actual plants, yes, but also organically shaped accent pieces that channel the outdoors, desk organizers in various shades of green, and even desktop fountains (of the non-tacky variety) for finding zen amidst all the meetings that could’ve just been emails. —Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025

Species across the globe are hunted, captured, or harvested for food, medicine (be it rooted in science or not) or to be a fashion think-piece or tacky souvenir. —Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025