TACKY Synonyms: 173 Similar and Opposite Words

tacky 1 of 2

adjective (1)

Definition of tacky

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

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

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

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

According to Formlabs, this improves strength, toughness, heat resistance, and resistance to gradual deformation under sustained loads, while producing a harder, less tacky surface. — Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 14 Oct. 2026 Knead until smooth, soft, and slightly tacky, 6 to 8 minutes, adding more flour, 1 Tbsp. — Hali Bey Ramdene, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Oct. 2026 What was created to be unique and delightfully tacky has become so boringly mainstream and expected. — Francesca Krempa, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026 But the stage that Springer cultivated was a gleeful one, a tacky spectacle of shock and depravity, an ungodly home for the freaks who knew just what to do when the lights came on. — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tacky

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tacky

Adjective

Her colleagues voted twice last year to censure her for inappropriate criticism of city employees.

— Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Specifically, Pickard said his understanding of the immunity deal is that his testimony about adultery and an inappropriate relationship cannot be used against him as part of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

— Matt Schooley, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of inappropriate

Adjective

Protests by high school students angry about dilapidated, understaffed schools have roiled France since mid-September.

— JOHN LEICESTER, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026
The protests have been building since late September, sparked by complaints of staff shortages and dilapidated schools.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of dilapidated

Adjective

The sensor has a 90-degree horizontal and 50-degree vertical field of view and is powered by a single CR123A battery, which is included along with adhesive mounting pads and a user guide.

— John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 22 Oct. 2026
For phones without MagSafe, a magnetic adhesive ring comes in the box.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of adhesive

Adjective

Under his purview, the brand has had to execute a tricky dance—to be sexy without being prurient, playful without being cheesy, desirable without being condescending.

— Max Berlinger, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2026
Adding mozzarella and Parmesan creates a salty, extra cheesy base while tomato sauce balances the richness with some acidity.

— Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 16 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

Will Brantley, president of the Georgia Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, said sticky and chewy candies tend to cling to teeth, leaving behind sugary residue that can contribute to cavities.

— Nancy Badertscher, AJC.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Build up of sticky food residue on bottom of ice cream mix coolers and the floor in front of units.

— NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of sticky

Adjective

At one unsuitable Gramercy apartment, Taylor encountered Cam Armand, a salesperson on the Kota team at Compass, and the Folwells enlisted his help.

— Joyce Cohen, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
In a setting designed to make exceptional yachts desirable, explaining why a particular vessel is unsuitable requires commercial discipline.

— Christoph Lymbersky, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of unsuitable

Adjective

That’s already more standout performances than in the entire run of films, a reminder that working with trashy IP is a safer bet than attempting to embellish a classic.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of trashy

Browse Nearby Words

tack (up)

tacky

tact

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“Tacky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tacky. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of tacky

adjective (1)

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Example Sentences

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