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
To that, timestamps may prove a sticky wicket for a part of Baldoni’s argument against the Times.
—
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2025
The other sticky wicket in the Paramount-Skydance merger is Trump’s current lawsuit against CBS News.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2025
That third spot is a sticky wicket for a team projected to be just outside the top five in the game.
—Eno Sarris, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
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.
—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
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2025
The other sticky wicket in the Paramount-Skydance merger is Trump’s current lawsuit against CBS News.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2025
That third spot is a sticky wicket for a team projected to be just outside the top five in the game.
—Eno Sarris, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
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.
—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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sticky wicket
Noun
-
The Role of Blockchain Technology and AI This ethical and creative dilemma could find a promising resolution through blockchain technology.—
Sandy Carter,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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The frustrated bride shared her story on Reddit, detailing her dilemma in a March 22 post on a forum dedicated to wedding planning — and asking for any advice about how to proceed.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Chantelle and Kelly, two flight attendants on vacation in the U.K., spoke to Newsweek about their unique predicament.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
21 Mar. 2025
-
In the Heat’s case, the franchise’s unfortunate predicament stems mostly from personnel decisions involving veteran players, decisions largely made by team president Pat Riley with input from several others.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The sammy was a flavorful surprise, with a noticeably strong pickle and a soft pretzel bun.—
Erin Alberty,
Axios,
25 Mar. 2025
-
Seafood trim is used to enrich stocks and sauces, and housemade pickles and ferments reduce waste while adding layers of brightness to our dishes.—
Chelsea Davis,
Forbes,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Bolster burn barrel safety: If burning is permitted in your area, ensure that all burn barrels have a weighted metal cover, complete with holes no larger than 3/4 of an inch.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Mar. 2025
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The Giants have holes and needs to address, and that’s with several young players expected to contribute.—
Grant Brisbee,
The Athletic,
25 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
How Guano Sustained America’s Wars When the War of 1812 erupted, the U.S. found itself in a bind.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes,
20 Mar. 2025
-
If Williams surprisingly transfers, UM would be in a bind.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
But any semblance of real whimsy and enchantment (let alone profits) went down the rabbit hole with Tim Burton, who stepped down from director to producer for this diminished sequel.—
Staff Author,
EW.com,
22 Mar. 2025
-
The hardest part of this to swallow is that women—mostly civilians—are the ones falling deepest down this rabbit hole, being convinced by TikTok to turn on one of their own.—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Enea turned to nature for a solution, planting 38 swamp cypresses (Taxodium distichum), each capable of extracting up to 800 liters of water per day.—
Nel-Olivia Waga,
Forbes,
10 Mar. 2025
-
Herbs are good, if they’re allowed to flower, as are flowers like anise hyssop, purple coneflower and swamp milkweed.—
Elizabeth Weise,
USA TODAY,
8 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sticky wicket.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sticky%20wicket. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
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