as in dilemma
a difficult, puzzling, or embarrassing situation from which there is no easy escape
with both sets of in-laws insisting that we spend Thanksgiving with them, we were on a sticky wicket indeed
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Recent Examples of sticky wicket
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK published 18 September 2024
A cricketing powerhouse for decades, Pakistan's national team have suddenly found themselves on a sticky wicket.
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Harriet Marsden, theweek, 18 Sep. 2024
Much of its lexicon sounds both unapproachable and, well, just weird: sticky wicket, googly, yorker, jaffa, daisy cutter, silly mid off, maiden over, tickle, nurdle, trundler, paddle scoop, popping crease, golden duck.
—Chris Heath, The Atlantic, 25 July 2024
While reforms have been proposed in the past under other leaders, they have gotten caught up in a sticky wicket of state bureaucracy.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 20 June 2024
The situation is a sticky wicket, to use an old-fashioned term from the sport of cricket, for the countless interest groups that depend on money from the budget.
—Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 4 May 2024
In contrast, altering and editing an image can be a much more nuanced process that makes determining what part is from humans a sticky wicket.
—Drew McLellan, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2023
As with all questions of volcanic behaviour, the real sticky wicket is timing.
—Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 13 June 2023
Ant Group are currently on a sticky wicket.
—Prathamesh Mulye, Quartz, 22 Mar. 2021
What is a sticky wicket is when partner is subordinate to the other.
—Jenna Reyes, BostonGlobe.com, 28 Jan. 2023
Harriet Marsden, theweek, 18 Sep. 2024
Much of its lexicon sounds both unapproachable and, well, just weird: sticky wicket, googly, yorker, jaffa, daisy cutter, silly mid off, maiden over, tickle, nurdle, trundler, paddle scoop, popping crease, golden duck.
—Chris Heath, The Atlantic, 25 July 2024
While reforms have been proposed in the past under other leaders, they have gotten caught up in a sticky wicket of state bureaucracy.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 20 June 2024
The situation is a sticky wicket, to use an old-fashioned term from the sport of cricket, for the countless interest groups that depend on money from the budget.
—Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 4 May 2024
In contrast, altering and editing an image can be a much more nuanced process that makes determining what part is from humans a sticky wicket.
—Drew McLellan, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2023
As with all questions of volcanic behaviour, the real sticky wicket is timing.
—Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 13 June 2023
Ant Group are currently on a sticky wicket.
—Prathamesh Mulye, Quartz, 22 Mar. 2021
What is a sticky wicket is when partner is subordinate to the other.
—Jenna Reyes, BostonGlobe.com, 28 Jan. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sticky wicket
Noun
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Mars enters Leo today, prompting you to take charge of a project or address a family dilemma.USA TODAY, USA TODAY, 3 Nov. 2024
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The mercurial billionaire’s fawning support of a Republican candidate who promises to roll back environmental progress is a dilemma for a company whose core buyers identify as climate-conscious Democrats.Alan Ohnsman, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Francis stands strong, mocking Sofia and her family, firmly believing that her son will get her out of her current predicament.Joe Otterson, Variety, 4 Nov. 2024
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Funding cliff This is not the first time the SSA has faced an insolvency predicament, with the early 1980s being another crunch time for the government agency.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Wonderfully fried chicken thighs with hot sauce, chipotle aioli, coleslaw and pickles — so satisfying.Alex Golden, Axios, 4 Nov. 2024
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The strange drink starts with a Diet Coke poured into a cup, followed by pickle juice, a few whole pickles, and some jalapeño juice to top it off.Jade Gomez, People.com, 18 Oct. 2024
Noun
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Phoenix Open concerts 2025: This power couple will play the 16th hole Coliseum The plan, intended to prevent more traffic congestion and safeguard existing infrastructure, was developed by city, state and business leaders who make up the MAG's Regional Transportation Policy Committee.Coleby Phillips, The Arizona Republic, 6 Nov. 2024
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That will open up a huge hole for one player in particular: Allyce Jones.Todd Boss, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
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But their story also offers a glimpse into the bind that some nonfiction filmmakers are facing in a cost-cutting, risk-averse market.Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Oct. 2024
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From reductions in absentee ballot boxes to limitations to casting an emergency ballot on Election Day, voters will have fewer options and will be in a bind if their schedules change at the last minute due to the 2021 passing of S.B. 202.Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2024
Noun
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Defense lawyer Adam Lipson had pleaded for leniency, arguing that his client fell into a rabbit hole of conspiracies after having led a crime-free life.David K. Li, NBC News, 29 Oct. 2024
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Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco are going down the rabbit hole this Halloween.Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 27 Oct. 2024
Noun
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His latest monologue, in contrast, is submerged in the swamp of vintage misogyny.Joe Berkowitz, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2024
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Fight Club’s insights about the consequences of men rallying around resentment remain apt today, a period in which Donald Trump’s grievance politics and the growing swamp of the manosphere are shaping American masculinity.Stephen Kearse, The Atlantic, 15 Oct. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near sticky wicket
Cite this Entry
“Sticky wicket.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sticky%20wicket. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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