icky
Makes you cringe
Icky describes something unpleasantly sticky, slimy, or generally disgusting: The baby's hands were icky with mashed banana.
The word extends to anything that provokes mild disgust or discomfort—an icky situation, an icky feeling.
It's informal and slightly childish, often used playfully or to soften stronger distaste.
Soft and sticky
- slimyWet, slippery, unpleasant
- tackyVulgar or slightly sticky
- gunkyCovered in thick residue
- gloppyUnpleasantly thick and sticky
mucousy · clammy · viscous · goopy · squelchy · greasy · residue · film
Total before subtractions
- revoltingCausing strong disgust
- nauseatingCausing urge to vomit
- vileExtremely unpleasant or bad
- foulOffensive or illegal
repulsive · loathsome · repugnant · putrid · nasty · grotesque · stomach-turning · cringe-worthy
Deeply unpleasant or spiteful
- disagreeableCausing mild displeasure
- distastefulCausing moral revulsion
- off-puttingCausing mild aversion
- unpalatableUnpleasant to taste
unsavory · objectionable · unappealing · unwelcome · bothersome · troublesome · awkward · uncomfortable
Mildly sick to stomach
- uneasyTroubled, not calm
- uncomfortableCausing unease or distress
- squirmyInclined to wriggle
- unsettledNot yet resolved
skin-crawling · heebie-jeebies · willies · shivers · cringe · flinch · recoil · shudder
gooey
Soft and sticky
gloppy · mucousy · clammy · viscous · goopy · squelchy · greasy · residue · film · crud
gross
Total before subtractions
- revoltingCausing strong disgust
- nauseatingCausing urge to vomit
- vileExtremely unpleasant or bad
foul · repulsive · loathsome · repugnant · putrid · nasty · grotesque · stomach-turning · cringe-worthy · eww
nasty
Deeply unpleasant or spiteful
- disagreeableCausing mild displeasure
- distastefulCausing moral revulsion
- off-puttingCausing mild aversion
unpalatable · unsavory · objectionable · unappealing · unwelcome · bothersome · troublesome · awkward · uncomfortable · undesirable
queasy
Mildly sick to stomach
- uneasyTroubled, not calm
- uncomfortableCausing unease or distress
- squirmyInclined to wriggle
unsettled · skin-crawling · heebie-jeebies · willies · shivers · cringe · flinch · recoil · shudder · wincing
ickydelightful
Highly pleasing, wonderful
pleasant · yummy · pleasing · delicious · delectable
- the ickSudden loss of attraction
- ick factorInformal measure of disgustingness