tacky 1 of 2

adjective (1)

Definition of tackynext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dilapidated
showing signs of advanced wear and tear and neglect a tacky old couch that needed new upholstery

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

tacky

2 of 2

adjective (2)

ˈta-kē How to pronounce tacky (audio)
as in adhesive
tending to adhere to objects upon contact don't touch the walls while the fresh paint is still tacky

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 tacky
Adjective
Could a fellow traveler hint at the inappropriate, tacky nature of this display? — Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 28 Aug. 2026 Over time, the polish builds up, trapping dirt and turning your floors tacky. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 27 Aug. 2026 Here are eight once-tacky décor trends that designers are embracing once again. — Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 23 Aug. 2026 Interestingly, while many assume these fruits are dried, the tacky texture they’re known for is actually their fresh state. — Christina Manian, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tacky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tacky
  1. inappropriate
  2. dilapidated
  3. adhesive
  4. cheesy
  5. neglected
  6. sticky
  7. unsuitable
  8. trashy
Adjective
  • The Portland Trail Blazers fired new play-by-play television broadcaster Braiden Bell on Thursday when past inappropriate social media posts resurfaced just hours after the team announced his hiring.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Sheriff’s officials said, investigators as of Thursday had not uncovered evidence indicating Chen had inappropriate physical contact with a child.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of inappropriate
Adjective
  • Protesters have decried dilapidated schools, overcrowded classrooms, staff shortages and inequalities in the education system.
    — Ellen Francis, Washington Post, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Through her nonprofit, UniteWI, owner Bria Grant bought the 112-year-old building from the City of Milwaukee in 2019 in a dilapidated state.
    — Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of dilapidated
Adjective
  • The researchers managed to engineer a special strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast that produces extremely adhesive proteins.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Spray the adhesive side of the film with your water and soap solution.
    — Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of adhesive
Adjective
  • Kathryn Bigelow is one of our best action directors, even if this one is a bit cheesier than her best work.
    — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The visual effects are chintzy, Jackson’s performance is schticky, and even if Aleem’s script is cheesy, Harlin’s execution of it doesn’t elevate the material.
    — Katie Walsh, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of cheesy
Adjective
  • Investors and analysts are increasingly looking to other parts of the market, both to find neglected sources of value and to start assuming a defensive posture against a possible downturn.
    — Tobias Burns, CNBC, 16 July 2026
  • Changing their environment is more reliable and more neglected.
    — Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
Definition of neglected
Adjective
  • The lightweight, slightly milky formula sank into my skin quickly without feeling sticky or heavy, leaving behind a luminous finish that made my complexion look fresher almost immediately.
    — Lucy Partington, Glamour, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Our highlights were the sticky Yabba pot rice and the lamb curry, which were fragrant and delicate but packed a punch.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of sticky
Adjective
  • And the religious character of this language is by no means unsuitable to this project of science that was bathed in biblical metaphors from the get-go—Code name Trinity, to cite just one example.
    — Artforum, Artforum, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Like other foods, bird seed is perishable and will spoil if it’s kept in unsuitable conditions.
    — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of unsuitable
Adjective
  • And indeed, the show was teased with a trashy image—a picture of a New York City street lined with waste during the 1968 sanitation workers’ strike, that is.
    — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Lamb’s success, says Ink, ushered in the era of sensationalism, trashy gossip, misinformation, influencers, and Trump.
    — Joe Reid, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of trashy

Browse Nearby Words

tack (up)
tacky
tact
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tacky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tacky. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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