STICKING Synonyms: 174 Similar and Opposite Words

sticking

verb

present participle of stick

as in adhering

to hold to something firmly as if by adhesion those magnets are strong enough to stick to the refrigerator without any problems

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in putting

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in stabbing

to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object could hardly feel the needle when the nurse stuck my arm with it

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as in squeezing

to rob by the use of trickery or threats she got stuck by an unscrupulous seller while using the online auction site

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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 sticking But sticking your head in the sand is not much of a long-term strategy. — Wes Marshall, The Conversation, 2 July 2026 Perrineau is weary, if not quite as wrecked as the car sticking halfway out of the far wall. — Josh Wigler, HollywoodReporter, 6 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 Generously brush vegetables with olive oil or melted butter before grilling to prevent sticking. — Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 June 2026 Working with 5 to 6 pieces at a time, remove fish from batter, allowing excess to drip back into bowl, and add to hot oil, briefly dragging fish along surface of oil to prevent sticking. — ABC News, 29 June 2026 Parisians have taken to sticking aluminum foil to their windows to reflect sunlight, rolling down their window shutters and living in utter darkness, and forgoing any meals that require turning on the stove or oven. — Jessica Roy, Curbed, 29 June 2026 Many Venezuelan news reports have avoided politically delicate questions related to the earthquake, such as the widespread collapse of buildings, sticking instead to safer stories about heroic rescues. — Juan Pablo Arraez, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026 There’s also McKeon taking me to Mass during the 2003 World Series, the Marlins manager not breaking stride to put a cigar on a ledge while entering the church and sticking it back in his mouth on the way out. — Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 27 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sticking

Verb

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
Owners with at least 25 vehicles can get the special stickers and skip adhering registration tags on the plates each year, as the rest of us have to.

— Jim Radcliffe, Oc Register, 29 May 2026

Definition of adhering

Verb

Belgium was on the front foot from the start, taking six shots and putting two on target in the first eight minutes before going ahead on De Ketelaere’s first goal in the ninth minute.

— Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
A week later, the TPUSA board unanimously voted to install Erika as their new chief executive, putting her at the forefront of his advocacy efforts.

— Kyler Alvord, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026

Definition of putting

Verb

The film centers on a New York murder trial where a teenage boy is accused of stabbing his abusive dad and a jury has the kid's fate in their hands.

— Brian Truitt, USA Today, 1 July 2026
In one ⁠instance, the suspect is accused of personally taking part in the killing by stabbing a victim in the chest with a knife, the prosecutors said.

— Reuters, NBC news, 1 July 2026

Definition of stabbing

Verb

Its relaxed silhouette helps prevent fabric from clinging to your skin, while the lightweight construction feels light throughout the day.

— Aashna Gheewalla, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026
The terrain is rocky, with vineyards clinging to steep limestone slopes, simultaneously warmed by the sun and cooled by salty Adriatic breezes.

— Tia Lovisa Moreira, Travel + Leisure, 2 July 2026

Definition of clinging

Verb

Lawrence natives have held watch parties for all of Team Algeria’s games in downtown Lawrence, as well as various rallies for Algeria’s fans, with downtown stores placing Team Algeria jerseys in display windows.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026
Amazon challenged that assumption by proving consumers valued faster delivery enough to justify placing inventory in more locations, before ultimately regionalizing its fulfillment network.

— Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 2 July 2026

Definition of placing

Verb

As with the studio version, the track began with Lifeson plucking out a delicate intro on a nylon-string guitar before blasting into monster electric riffs.

— Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 14 June 2026
Vogue’s beauty shopping editor Kiana Murden became a devotee after plucking it from the beauty closet and using it religiously.

— Jenny Berg, Vogue, 10 June 2026