1
as in to stop
slang
to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end
can the chatter, or I'm kicking you out of this library
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to remove
to let go from office, service, or employment
the cashier was summarily canned for stealing from the registers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in jail
a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody
the racketeers were rounded up and thrown in the can
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in restroom
a room furnished with a fixture for flushing body waste
I excused myself and asked if I could use the can
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in seat
the part of the body upon which someone sits
he fell on the ice and landed on his can
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of can
Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 3 June 2026
There are cars depicted in the busy mural above the bar, vintage petrol cans stacked on shelves in the middle of the room, and a menu themed around refuelling guests with top-notch British classics.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Money was tight, but each summer the family scrounged a humble vacation out of coins saved in empty cans of orange-juice concentrate.
—Jeremy Lybarger, Artforum, 2 June 2026
This version features half as many cloves per can of chickpeas.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for can
Noun
The White Claw generation, used to pounding cans of seltzers at backyard barbecues and feeling nothing more than a light buzz, doesn’t yet seem to understand how to responsibly partake in these new products.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 3 June 2026
There are cars depicted in the busy mural above the bar, vintage petrol cans stacked on shelves in the middle of the room, and a menu themed around refuelling guests with top-notch British classics.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Money was tight, but each summer the family scrounged a humble vacation out of coins saved in empty cans of orange-juice concentrate.
—Jeremy Lybarger, Artforum, 2 June 2026
This version features half as many cloves per can of chickpeas.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for can
Recent Examples of Synonyms for can
Verb
-
In order to secure the funds, the family members submitted fake financial instruments and money orders, continuing to do so even after the IRS sent them letters telling them to stop, according to the statement.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 June 2026
-
The order, which Trump signed in private on June 2, stops short of mandating that the federal government conduct safety evaluations and cybersecurity testing for advanced AI products.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Escalante Sandoval then approached the parked van, removed a key concealed in the gas cap and backed it up, allowing a group of people to move three deep freezers from the van into the bed of the truck and load them with packages.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
-
Nothing has been touched since the artist’s death in 2009 except for dust removed by a neighbor and caretaker.—
Erika Landström,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Hanging aluminum pie tins is one way to utilize flash and noise.—
Molly Burford,
Southern Living,
6 June 2026
-
The tins will be available in France, Germany and Australia.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
She is being held on $500,000 bond, according to jail records reviewed by PEOPLE on May 30.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
31 May 2026
-
On Friday, a judge sentenced him to 60 days in jail, followed by 22 months of probation.—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
The stadium has new bleachers, concessions, ticket buildings, restrooms and a press box with elevator access, and the players will use new team rooms and a building dedicated to weight training.—
Heather McRea,
Oc Register,
29 May 2026
-
This consists of repairing or improving lighting, ADA-accessible restrooms, elevators and escalators.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
While Republicans still hold an advantage in Iowa, Democrats see openings in a competitive governor’s race, an open Senate seat, and two battleground congressional districts that could help determine control of Congress next year.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
31 May 2026
-
Then there’s Ammar Campa-Najjar, who has sought a similar seat twice before and more recently for Chula Vista mayor.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Or maybe fun and games ceased some 20 years ago when Facebook, Twitter and Instagram launched and anonymous threats could be dispatched by anyone with an account.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
-
Drone strikes on the UAE are still occurring sporadically, but the wide-scale alerts of the early conflict have ceased — along with the associated distress.—
Melanie Swan,
CNN Money,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
The lawsuit was eventually dismissed.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
-
The ruling came after similar cases in Michigan and Georgia were dismissed by the courts and a special prosecutor dropped a federal case in late 2024 that charged Trump with conspiring to overturn the 2020 election.—
Jacques Billeaud,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Can.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/can. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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