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
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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 ethical dilemma of how a journalist like Goldberg should have responded to the accidental invitation to the chat was another focal point.—
Heather Hunter,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
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In fact, Luton are only four points behind Stoke City, yet another top-flight old boy, in 18th place, so there is a path out of this predicament.—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
2 Apr. 2025
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The predicament got even worse the following day, when Perez’s RB16 stopped on the formation lap and he was forced to start from the pit-lane.—
Dan Cancian,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
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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
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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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These signs include roots circling the bottom of your containers, roots coming out of the drainage hole, or stunted growth and wilting leaves.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
25 Mar. 2025
Noun
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That decision put Virginia’s royal governor, Lord Dunmore, in a bind.—
Andrew Lawler,
Smithsonian Magazine,
2 Apr. 2025
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The White House’s actions have put the association in a bind.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
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And a lot of times going after the rarest, most unique stuff sends you down rabbit holes of research and investigating.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
31 Mar. 2025
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Now on YouTube, the Andy Kaufman rabbit hole is deep and packed with pleasures.—
Jason Zinoman,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The fourth and final missing U.S. soldier whose armored vehicle sank in a swamp in Lithuania last week was found deceased Tuesday.—
Greg Norman,
FOXNews.com,
1 Apr. 2025
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Search and recovery efforts continue for the fourth U.S. Army soldier who went missing in Lithuania last week when a U.S. armored vehicle was submerged in a swamp during a training mission.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
1 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sticky wicket.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sticky%20wicket. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.
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