Abstract: The pressure sensitive adhesive of this invention has improved shear resistance while still having good tackiness and stability in a humid atmosphere, it is prepared by solution polymerization, or by other methods, and has carboxylic acid groups therein, an alkoxyalkyl ester of an unsaturated carboxylic acid, an hydroxyalkyl ester of an unsaturated carboxylic acid having at least one hydroxyl functionality and, in many cases, an alkyl acrylate or an alkyl methacrylate. A crosslinker may be used, and the adhesive cured by heat, without destroying the proper relationship of tack and shear resistance.