ticky-tacky

adjective

variants also ticky-tack
Definition of ticky-tackynext
as in inappropriate
marked by an obvious lack of style or good taste her house is full of ticky-tacky figurines

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ticky-tacky
  1. inappropriate
  2. tacky
  3. trashy
  4. unsuitable
  5. incorrect
  6. cheesy
  7. wrong
  8. unfashionable
Adjective
  • Justice Department attorneys have argued that a restraining order would be inappropriate and that the legal challenge was premature, as federal agencies had yet to issue public guidance on how the president's directive would be implemented.
    — Kristina Cooke, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The morality police, which are often accused of extreme policies, recently announced a statewide ban in Sokoto on the use of DJs at events, as well as inappropriate haircuts, extravagant bridal gifts and playing music on public transport.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of inappropriate
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
Definition of tacky
Adjective
  • To paraphrase Tolstoy, all slop is alike, but every piece of trash is trashy in its own oddball way.
    — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Fright fans get the 13th season of American Horror Story, and there's plenty of comedy and trashy reality TV as well.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of trashy
Adjective
  • Guy acknowledges, though, that this could lead to the level of chaos depicted in a memorable 2009 episode of The Office, where staff show up in an array of unsuitable outfits.
    — Chloe Veltman, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026
  • That could allow geothermal projects to operate in locations that have traditionally been considered unsuitable for geothermal development.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of unsuitable
Adjective
  • This story has been updated to remove an incorrect win total for Dondrial Pinkins.
    — Todd Holcomb, AJC.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • There are several factors that cause black clothes to fade such as frequent washing, incorrect drying, and consistent exposure to sunlight.
    — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of incorrect
Adjective
  • Cooking columnist Ben Mims gives us tips and recipes for this cheesy delight.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Frico, in the modern sense, refers to that dark, crunchy, cheesy edge found on a Detroit-style pizza.
    — Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of cheesy
Adjective
  • Remember, taking the wrong benefit at the wrong time is always smaller and forever.
    — Thomas Hager, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Therefore, therapy should do more than help people identify what’s wrong with their relationships.
    — David H. Rosmarin, Time, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of wrong
Adjective
  • The very characteristics that made blue-collar businesses unfashionable, their physicality and labor intensity, are now their defensive moat.
    — Gustaf Lundberg Toresson, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • As one Ithacan subject fondly recalls, Odysseus always had an unfashionable belief in playing fair.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 July 2026
Definition of unfashionable
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.

Browse Nearby Words

ticks off
ticky-tacky
tics
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ticky-tacky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ticky-tacky. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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