viscous

adjective

ˈvi-skəs How to pronounce viscous (audio)
Definition of viscousnext
as in thick
being of a consistency that resists flow viscous syrup that takes forever to pour from a narrow-neck bottle

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 viscous The soluble fiber in oats, particularly the polysaccharide beta-glucan, forms a viscous gel in the digestive tract. — Lauren Manaker Ms, Health, 22 May 2026 The primary health benefit of oats comes from beta-glucan, a viscous soluble fiber that affects cholesterol metabolism. — Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 26 June 2026 Neusch saw a couple of the house’s fire-andys roll along the balcony, their extinguisher nozzles deployed over the railings, pumping clouds of viscous yellow retardant foam into the atrium. — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 26 June 2026 Not only can the viscous substances gunk up the machine, leaving a residue and potentially feeding bacteria, but prolonged exposure to these molecules in the air can have negative effects, according to the American Lung Association. — Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 16 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for viscous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for viscous
  1. thick
  2. sticky
Adjective
  • The combination makes strands thicker, fuller, stronger, frizz-free, and softer—and thus, longer with less shedding and breakage.
    — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 2 July 2026
  • The brown, round cookie has arms and legs, one eyebrow thicker than the other, and one buck tooth.
    — Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of thick
Adjective
  • Through the risk of lightning, sticky humidity and a winding line filled with thousands of chanting fans, Argentine fans flooded Bayfront Park with a sea of blue jerseys.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026
  • Smoke uncovered for an additional 30–45 minutes, allowing the glaze to caramelize into a sticky, lacquered finish.
    — Staff, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of sticky

Browse Nearby Words

viscounts
viscous
visibilities
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Viscous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/viscous. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on viscous

Nglish: Translation of viscous for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All