Definition of stick-in-the-mudnext
as in conservative
a person with old-fashioned ideas the committee is dominated by old stick-in-the-muds who have little interest in bringing new ideas to the table

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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 stick-in-the-mud One only has to think about the British fight against Nazism to be reminded that it was made of imperialists, constitutionalists, stick-in-the-mud aristocrats, and the socialists who first helped put Winston Churchill into power and then five years later helped push him out again. — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 8 June 2026 But opposing him is Stagg, a Scottish, stick-in-the-mud academic (which is saying a lot by most weather men’s personality standards), who insists on making the team’s joint recommendation exclusively using the current observational data available to Allied forces. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 May 2026 Bostwick starred as the naive stick-in-the-mud and fiancé of Janice, Brad. — Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025 David Corenswet plays, quite literally, a stick-in-the-mud character. — Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stick-in-the-mud
Noun
  • But if conservatives and independents who claim to believe in the constitution and fiscal responsibility actually vote that way, that will finally change.
    — Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Proponents of Amendment 85 — including conservatives and liberals — say tax impacts and other necessary information can still appear in ballot measures.
    — Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The 15-year veteran looked confident and capable against the Chiefs on Sunday, throwing for 365 yards and two touchdowns.
    — Pete Sweeney October 5, Kansas City Star, 5 Oct. 2026
  • And considering the dearth of new mainstream stars — outside of Doechii and Don Toliver, other emerging talents have yet to commercially break through — hip-hop veterans have more of an opening to notch genuine hits.
    — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 5 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • There’s no old fogey-ness to Lorne.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2026
  • For the benefit of us old fogies?
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The City of Boulder and Boulder County, Colorado, in 2018 sued major fossil-fuel producers Exxon Mobil and Suncor Energy, seeking financial damages under state public nuisance law.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Ozone, which is made up of three oxygen atoms, forms when emissions of other pollutants such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides from fossil-fuel burning or wildfires mix with sunlight and heat.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 30 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Stick-in-the-mud.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stick-in-the-mud. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

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