tacky

[tak-ee] / ˈtæk i /

ADJECTIVE

cheap, tasteless

Synonyms

STRONGEST

dingy faded gaudy messy run down seedy shabby sleazy threadbare vulgar

WEAK

broken-down crude dilapidated dowdy down-at-heel frumpy inelegant mangy nasty out-of-date outmoded poky ratty shoddy sloppy slovenly stodgy unbecoming unkempt unstylish unsuitable untidy

Antonyms

STRONGEST

nice refined respectable

WEAK

classy expensive tasteful

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Money is the focus in the tracks like “La Moneda,” with Joel’s voice echoing through the backdrop as he proclaims that cash might change some tacky, incompetent chumps, but not him.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

"It was a tacky wicket as it was under cover for a while. After losing a few wickets, it was tough to get back into the game."

From Barron's • Feb. 22, 2026

Chinese wellness practices, once associated with the tacky and geriatric, have suddenly found themselves in vogue, largely among Americans.

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2026

Some fashion cognoscenti questioned the blue lenses, saying the choice was garish and tacky.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026

“My tacky taste didn’t keep you from stopping by to enjoy my free food and fun, did it?”

From "The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora" by Pablo Cartaya

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