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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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 Smoke uncovered for an additional 30–45 minutes, allowing the glaze to caramelize into a sticky, lacquered finish. — Staff, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026 He’s long delved into the dark corners of his lived and theoretical experience, pushing toward sticky, disquieting ideas that sent ripples of nervous laughter through a crowd unable to reject his reasoning. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 30 June 2026 Also think about data egress fees, model version drift, GPU supply lead times and the slow creep of proprietary APIs that quietly become very sticky. — Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026 Lingering heat is also expected to make conditions sticky for soccer fans attending World Cup competition at MetLife Stadium when the round of 16 match gets underway there on Sunday. — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 29 June 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
  • The adhesive trap under a prep table with a slicer wasn’t cleared and contained five dead roaches.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 26 June 2026
  • Removing stubborn stains like adhesive residue takes persistence, especially if the remnant is aged.
    — Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 20 June 2026
Definition of adhesive
Adjective
  • When perspiration cannot evaporate in humid air, moisture clings to the skin and body temperature climbs rapidly, according to the Mayo Clinic.
    — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 1 July 2026
  • Winner goes to the Round of 16 (in a different, hopefully less humid city).
    — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of humid
Adjective
  • Sarah Buck, Chicago Driving has become harder The rapid increase in bike lanes has made driving much more difficult and tedious, with numerous delays due to many streets being reduced to one lane in busy areas.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • Republican strategists have welcomed those nominations as an opening for attack in a difficult election year.
    — Susan Page, USA Today, 5 July 2026
Definition of difficult
Adjective
  • At its deepest level, this work is fueled by unconditional love—not sentimental or passive love but love as discipline, courage and commitment.
    — Yujia Zhu, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • The Freakier Friday star also reflected on turning 40 in a sentimental Instagram post.
    — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 2 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
  • MacDonald agrees that some of Kiros' positions could put Democratic candidates in a tough spot.
    — Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 2 July 2026
  • The 34 measures include cuts to income tax for low- and middle income families, an overhaul of the creaking pension system, tougher rules for employees' sick leave and a reduction of the country's stifling bureaucracy.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026
Definition of tough
Adjective
  • England looked disjointed and sloppy for much of the first half, while Congo was bright and creative with the ball and held England at bay defensively.
    — Bailey Johnson, Washington Post, 1 July 2026
  • The regulars were middle-aged men who routinely drank five or six cocktails after work and were only rarely sloppy.
    — Meghan O’Gieblyn, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026
Definition of sloppy
Adjective
  • Rescuers then wait intently for any indication of life, using sensitive microphones or telescopic cameras or simply pressing an ear against the rubble, hoping to detect a voice, a knock or the faintest movement.
    — Fernanda Pesce, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • So far, the administration has sued multiple states unsuccessfully in attempts to obtain sensitive voter-roll data to run through a federal database known as the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements, or SAVE, program.
    — Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 1 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 8 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of sticky for Spanish Speakers

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