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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of can
David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2025
The Vernon Pet Pantry, according to a release, especially needs large sized cans.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 12 Feb. 2025
Klein is bracing for an even bigger impact this time around, since Spiteful’s cans are sourced from Canada.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN, 12 Feb. 2025
In fact, a can of chili beans is often made with kidney beans or pinto beans.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for can 
Noun
There were a total of four beer cans on the vessel — two from that day, and two from the day before, his wife, Cynthia, told the Herald.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2025
The Vernon Pet Pantry, according to a release, especially needs large sized cans.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 12 Feb. 2025
Klein is bracing for an even bigger impact this time around, since Spiteful’s cans are sourced from Canada.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN, 12 Feb. 2025
In fact, a can of chili beans is often made with kidney beans or pinto beans.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for can
Recent Examples of Synonyms for can
Verb
-
Outside of suicide, the only way for a terminally ill person in Ohio to hasten their own death is to refuse life-prolonging treatments or to stop eating and drinking.—
Tim Botos,
USA TODAY,
18 Feb. 2025
-
However, Eke said, if Charlotte doesn’t succeed, the Berman family behind the bid won’t stop trying.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The tiny devices were removed from the ferrets after four days in the wild.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA TODAY,
14 Feb. 2025
-
Hardeman, an adviser who is a health policy expert at the University of Minnesota, said the group didn’t know why data and scientific findings were being withheld or removed.—
Amy Maxmen,
CNN,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Oil majors have weathered a turn in tide over the past year, as crude prices retreated after initial support following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine and Western and G7 sanctions against Moscow’s barrels.—
Ruxandra Iordache,
CNBC,
11 Feb. 2025
-
The fan gear was complimented by an assortment of spring denim, including barrel jeans, leopard and camouflage print pieces, and mid-rise miniskirts.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
10 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
There is no criminal complaint, so nobody is at risk of jail time.—
James Hibberd,
The Hollywood Reporter,
11 Feb. 2025
-
The plea was made in a deal with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office that included no jail time or restitution but a three-year conditional discharge.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Bus tubs and an ice cooler were being stored in a staff restroom.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacramento Bee,
7 Feb. 2025
-
Five minutes is not enough time for a normal person to use a crowded restroom.—
Mattison Nunez,
The Denver Post,
5 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Additionally, the Cure simply set prices low on their own, with some venues offering seats for $25.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
11 Feb. 2025
-
What’s even more remarkable – and came to light only after his death – is that during the war, Bartali joined the underground resistance, cycling across northern Italy to transport counterfeit identity documents, stuffed into the handlebars and seat posts of his bike.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The return-to-work ordinance would require city executives to determine timelines to cease remote-work options for their employees.—
Jessica Boehm,
Axios,
11 Feb. 2025
-
Wednesday night, precipitation is expected to be both rain and snow but become all rain after 1 a.m. Snow is expected to cease heading into Thursday with rain instead predicted before 1 p.m.—
Matt Hubbard,
Baltimore Sun,
9 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Chutkan granted a request from Smith to dismiss the case after Mr. Trump won the presidential election in November because of a Justice Department policy that forbids the prosecution of a sitting president.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2025
-
In October, San Diego Superior Court Judge Aaron Katz dismissed the charge against Lor, ruling that the law requires the threat be specific toward the person allegedly threatened.—
City News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near can
Cite this Entry
“Can.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/can. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share