adhesive 1 of 2

as in sticky
tending to adhere to objects upon contact walked barefoot through adhesive, clayey mud

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

adhesive

2 of 2

noun

as in glue
a substance used to stick things together prefers postage stamps coated with adhesive so that she doesn't have to do any licking

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of adhesive
Adjective
There is a significant opportunity to break that cycle by leveraging robotic assembly, digital adhesive technology, and automation to build a smarter, cleaner system from the ground up. Cam Myers, Sourcing Journal, 28 Apr. 2025 First, soften and clean the resin in boiling water, then grind and stretch it into fabric-like sheets that become adhesive with heat. Gabriela Molina Riascos, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2025
Noun
Hutton reports that some types of adhesive used by climbers are rated to deal with fire. Hannah Provost, Outside Online, 26 Apr. 2025 It’s covered in an adhesive that has an attractant to lure the flies to it, encouraging them to land. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for adhesive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adhesive
Adjective
  • Neanderthals made and used wooden spears, cared for their fellow community members, made sticky tar and other adhesives, and butchered massive elephants, among other feats.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 June 2025
  • The unique gel texture sets into a lightweight veil that feels comfortable and stays put, so there’s no pillow staining or sticky residue.
    Marie Lodi, Allure, 2 June 2025
Noun
  • Love was the glue that held everything together for the Class 1A state champions.
    Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 June 2025
  • Additionally, there were nearly 100 dead or dying roaches in areas across the taco shop, including more than 50 inside a glue trap on the floor beneath the two door reach-in cooler.
    Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2025
Adjective
  • At my organization, ICL, 75% of clients served by IMT have become stably housed by our teams and 67% are adherent with medication, with an additional 14% agreeing to try medication.
    Jody Rudin, New York Daily News, 18 Jan. 2025
  • For example, in the HIV disease area, patients on single tablet regimens are more adherent and persistent than those on multiple tablet treatments.
    Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Adhesive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adhesive. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.

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