Synonyms of tacky

tacky 1 of 2

adjective (1)

1

as in inappropriate

marked by an obvious lack of style or good taste

it was tacky to wear sneakers to the wedding

tacky plastic flowers

Synonyms & Similar Words

• inappropriate
• cheesy
• unsuitable
• trashy
• tasteless
• incorrect
• unfashionable
• wrong
• dowdy
• inelegant
• cheap
• unstylish
• loud
• ticky-tacky
• ticky-tack
• styleless
• unseemly
• grotesque
• unbecoming
• outmoded
• tawdry
• out-of-date
• coarse
• gaudy
• garish
• kitschy
• crude
• vulgar
• common
• graceless
• shoddy
• showy
• glitzy
• kitsch
• ostentatious
• flashy
• passé
• sleazy
• low-grade
• unrefined
• junky
• inferior
• second-rate
• lousy
• splashy
• overdone

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• elegant
• classy
• tasteful
• appropriate
• sophisticated
• fine
• fashionable
• posh
• stylish
• chic
• classic
• exquisite
• suitable
• ritzy
• smart
• proper
• right
• correct
• fitting
• becoming
• simple
• seemly
• conservative
• neat
• quiet
• modern
• handsome
• understated
• restrained
• genteel
• contemporary
• refined
• up-to-date
• swanky
• swank
• in
• happening
• modish
• a la mode
• à la mode

2

as in dilapidated

showing signs of advanced wear and tear and neglect

a tacky old couch that needed new upholstery

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dilapidated
• neglected
• shabby
• miserable
• tatty
• dumpy
• desolate
• scruffy
• tired
• seedy
• tattered
• sleazy
• scrubby
• abandoned
• grungy
• mangy
• ratty
• ragged
• threadbare
• ruined
• gone to seed
• down-at-heel
• timeworn
• tumbledown
• down-at-the-heel
• broken
• down-at-the-heels
• mean
• beat-up
• run-down
• down-at-heels
• dog-eared
• moth-eaten
• damaged
• bombed-out
• tatterdemalion
• unkept
• dingy
• decrepit
• deteriorated
• wrecked
• forlorn
• destroyed
• deteriorating
• ramshackle
• decaying
• rickety
• godforsaken
• bedraggled
• worn-out
• broken-down
• injured
• hurt
• rackety
• impaired
• harmed
• rattletrap

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• new
• fresh
• brand-new
• maintained
• kept-up
• reconstructed
• spiffy
• patched
• smart
• mended
• rebuilt
• cared-for
• spruce

tacky

2 of 2

adjective (2)

ˈta-kē 

as in adhesive

tending to adhere to objects upon contact

don't touch the walls while the fresh paint is still tacky

Synonyms & Similar Words

• adhesive
• sticky
• gummy
• gluey
• adherent
• glutinous
• clingy
• tenacious
• viscous
• viscid
• syrupy
• gelatinous
• gooey
• ropey
• ropy
• pitchy
• tarry

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• nonviscous
• nonadhesive

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of tacky

Adjective

Did Shannon, in addition to her tacky bridesmaid dress, bring along her axe? —Peter Larsen, Orange County Register, 1 Nov. 2024

Giving cash doesn’t have to be awkward Despite popular convention that cash presents are gauche, tacky, or uninspired, Post says the annals of etiquette wisdom permit monetary gifts. —Allie Volpe, Vox, 19 Nov. 2024

For a presidential candidate, this is unprecedented, tacky, and yet very American. —Richard Behar, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

Alexis Couture has the idea to throw a tacky bridesmaid dress party, and that is perhaps the first good and original theme that a Housewife has ever thought up on this show. —Brian Moylan, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2024