Synonyms of sticky

sticky

adjective

ˈsti-kē 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• nonviscous
• nonadhesive

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• humid
• damp
• moist
• muggy
• wet
• sultry
• tropical
• heavy
• oppressive
• tropic
• steamy
• subtropical
• sweltering
• clammy
• summery
• torrid
• saturated
• soggy
• dripping
• semitropical
• suffocating
• soaked
• sodden
• stuffy
• smothering
• dank
• stifling
• sopping
• close
• drenched
• waterlogged
• soaking
• summerlike
• washed
• subhumid
• watery
• bathed
• watered
• awash
• soppy
• doused
• soused

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dry
• fresh
• cool
• refreshing
• crisp
• bracing
• dusty
• arid
• dehydrated
• baked
• scorched
• burned
• thirsty
• droughty
• desert
• semiarid
• parched
• invigorating
• sunbaked
• waterless
• sere
• seared

3

as in difficult

requiring exceptional skill or caution in performance or handling

an especially sticky conversation about money matters

Synonyms & Similar Words

• difficult
• tough
• sensitive
• problematic
• complicated
• tricky
• delicate
• hairy
• thorny
• nasty
• touchy
• spiny
• hard
• problem
• knotty
• ticklish
• prickly
• complex
• catchy
• dodgy
• serious
• painful
• tricksy
• intricate
• troublesome
• abstract
• stubborn
• abstruse
• recondite
• vexing
• involved
• worrisome
• scabrous
• vexatious
• oppressive
• onerous
• inconvenient
• troublous
• stressful
• burdensome
• importunate
• exhausting
• demanding
• exacting
• discommoding

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• easy
• simple
• manageable
• straightforward
• uncomplicated
• painless
• effortless
• unproblematic
• undemanding

4

as in sentimental

appealing to the emotions in an obvious and tiresome way

sticky love scenes that will bore cynics to death

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sentimental
• sloppy
• wet
• gooey
• fuzzy
• drippy
• sugary
• cloying
• mushy
• slushy
• saccharine
• soupy
• mawkish
• sappy
• soppy
• sugarcoated
• corny
• schmaltzy
• maudlin
• chocolate-box
• spoony
• lovey-dovey
• fruity
• nostalgic
• dreamy
• soapy
• feel-good
• moony
• novelettish
• sudsy
• moonstruck
• melodramatic
• insipid
• vapid
• misty-eyed
• tasteless
• watery
• cutesy
• starry-eyed
• flat
• soft-boiled
• soap-operatic
• twee

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unsentimental
• unadulterated
• unvarnished
• cynical
• hardheaded
• hard-edged
• antisentimental
• hard-boiled

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of sticky

The other rumors remain sticky — though the filmmakers aren’t without their opinions on them. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026

Thanks to sticky coverage in the secondary, TCU held BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier to the worst throwing game of his career, as the sophomore managed just 62 passing yards. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Oct. 2026

The yeast cells therefore behave a bit like millions of microscopic sticky particles inside the binder. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026

Everything is relayed thirdhand, and none of it is particularly sticky or interesting. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026

Phrases Containing sticky

• sticky wicket