stick 1 of 2

verb

Definition of sticknext
1
as in to adhere
to hold to something firmly as if by adhesion those magnets are strong enough to stick to the refrigerator without any problems

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to put
to arrange something in a certain spot or position you can stick that box in the corner until I figure out where to put everything

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to stab
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object could hardly feel the needle when the nurse stuck my arm with it

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to squeeze
to rob by the use of trickery or threats she got stuck by an unscrupulous seller while using the online auction site

Synonyms & Similar Words

stick

2 of 2

noun

1
as in finger

Related Words
2
as in clam

Related Words

Dissimilar Words
3
as in beam

Related Words
4
as in stab

Related Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb stick contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of stick are adhere, cleave, cling, and cohere. While all these words mean "to become closely attached," stick implies attachment by affixing or by being glued together.

couldn't get the label to stick

When would adhere be a good substitute for stick?

While in some cases nearly identical to stick, adhere is often interchangeable with stick but sometimes implies a growing together.

antibodies adhering to a virus

When is cleave a more appropriate choice than stick?

While the synonyms cleave and stick are close in meaning, cleave stresses strength of attachment.

the wet shirt cleaved to his back

In what contexts can cling take the place of stick?

The meanings of cling and stick largely overlap; however, cling implies attachment by hanging on with arms or tendrils.

clinging to a capsized boat

When might cohere be a better fit than stick?

In some situations, the words cohere and stick are roughly equivalent. However, cohere suggests a sticking together of parts so that they form a unified mass.

eggs will make the mixture cohere

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 stick
Verb
That level of output convinced Vogt to stick him in the leadoff spot a little more than three weeks into his career and not look back. — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 5 July 2026 The banana leaf acts as a protective barrier, preventing the salmon from sticking or drying out during the slow roast. — Staff, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Noun
Another bears an image of a sheep Statue of Liberty holding a selfie stick instead of a torch. — David Kamp, New Yorker, 29 June 2026 Gavin McCarthy, who will play in Rochester next season, had four goals in the scrimmage and looked incredibly confident with the puck on his stick. — Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for stick
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stick
  1. adhere
  2. put
  3. stab
  4. squeeze
  5. finger
  6. clam
  7. beam
  8. push
Verb
  • But a new fastest time from UAE’s Florian Vermeersch on June 2 of this year — 23km at an average speed of 75kmh — suggests that not everyone has adhered.
    — Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 29 June 2026
  • Decorating rules can be helpful guidelines, but adhering too strictly to conventional wisdom can seriously cramp your style.
    — Kristin Hohenadel, The Spruce, 23 June 2026
Definition of adhere
Verb
  • In his fifth-inning at-bat, Stephenson was on the other side of two successful challenges by Rutschman that put him down 1-2 in the count instead of up 3-0.
    — C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 6 July 2026
  • Go on, put the 131-cube (2,147 cc) monster engine into that one.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 July 2026
Definition of put
Verb
  • Gabriel Garland, the Love Island UK Islander who was removed from the villa after being named in court documents in a stabbing incident, has broken his silence.
    — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 3 July 2026
  • Continue reading … CABIN CHAOS — Midair horror as passenger admits trying to stab stranger through the eye.
    — , FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of stab
Verb
  • As artificial intelligence transforms the job market and rising living costs squeeze family budgets, the University of California system is making the case that its degrees remain valuable investments.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026
  • Breweries may not have the budget or staff to create art and with rising costs squeezing small businesses, many breweries started to feature obvious generative AI art prominently as a way to talk about events or create content.
    — Em Sauter, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of squeeze
Noun
  • Evan Longoria was voted to start in 2009 but couldn’t play in the game due to finger infection, then won the election again in 2010 and made the start.
    — Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 July 2026
  • Use your finger to flatten the surface and brush away any excess chalk dust.
    — Emily Benda Gaylord, The Spruce, 5 July 2026
Definition of finger
Noun
  • Layer potatoes, corn, sausage, cherry tomatoes, peppadew peppers and clams.
    — Staff, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • Artful pizzas go beyond margherita with varieties like a clam pie with funky lemons, confit shallots, and raclette mornay sauce, or a chilaquiles slice with chorizo.
    — Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 June 2026
Definition of clam
Noun
  • Also present in the wood panelling inside the wall is a hand sticking out of a beam.
    — Arushi Jacob, Variety, 3 July 2026
  • In the evening, the Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks show will draw thousands of eyes upward as 85,000 shells are launched from six barges and a laser show beams up from the Brooklyn Bridge.
    — Anthony Izaguirre, Fortune, 2 July 2026
Definition of beam
Noun
  • Beijing’s push to strengthen its domestic semiconductor industry has become more urgent as US export restrictions continue to limit access to leading chip manufacturing facilities such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC).
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 4 July 2026
  • The eastern flank of the fire also made a significant push north, but fire crews were able to protect the Glade Ranch subdivision and Benchmark Lookout, Cook said.
    — Katie Langford, Denver Post, 4 July 2026
Definition of push

Phrases Containing stick

Browse Nearby Words

stews
stick
stick around
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Cite this Entry

“Stick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stick. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on stick

Nglish: Translation of stick for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stick

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