1
as in imitative
using or marked by the use of something else as a basis or model
there's a canned quality to the screenplay that reminds you of countless other action movies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in drunk
slang
being under the influence of alcohol
Driving home on New Year's Eve, she worried about other drivers who might be canned.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in stopped
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dismissed
to let go from office, service, or employment
the cashier was summarily canned for stealing from the registers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 canned
Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2026
Prices for canned fruits and vegetables are up about 6% in March from a year earlier, according to CPI data.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2026
Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 May 2026
If fresh corn isn't available, use frozen or canned.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for canned
Adjective
Manchego cheese, cream cheese and sour cream provide the dip’s lushness, while canned artichoke hearts, fresh spinach and the green tops of green onions are the source of herbaceous spring freshness and texture.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2026
Prices for canned fruits and vegetables are up about 6% in March from a year earlier, according to CPI data.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
Inspired by Contramar’s iconic tuna tostada, this budget-friendly version swaps in jarred or canned tuna for the sushi-grade fish used at the restaurant.
—Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 May 2026
If fresh corn isn't available, use frozen or canned.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for canned
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canned
Adjective
-
Since then, whenever new tools to crank out communications have become available, somebody has flooded the zone with the fastest, most imitative material that could garner attention.—
Deni Ellis Béchard,
Scientific American,
8 Nov. 2025
-
It may be borrowed or coined, named after a person, inspired by a place or imitative of a sound.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Vuvuzelas honked like a chorus of drunk geese, and spectators chattered excitedly.—
Ryan Lenora Brown,
NPR,
14 June 2026
-
And his father was a drunk and not a nice person.—
Pat Saperstein,
Variety,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
In the months before the shooting, Mangione’s once active online presence stopped, and his mother filed a missing persons’ report.—
Nicki Brown,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
-
Once the match started, the tours of the property stopped and all attention turned to the soccer game.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
In a 55-page decision, a superior court judge has dismissed significant portions of a lawsuit filed by the former Chief Human Resources Officer of Boston Water and Sewer, including all claims against the Herald, alleging she was fired as part of a wide-ranging conspiracy.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
14 June 2026
-
All of which spilled into public view at the City Council meeting, with commissioners claiming that, after numerous meetings, the mayor’s office dismissed their concerns and recommendations for this particular reappointment to the board.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
14 June 2026
Adjective
-
Public health officials have been preparing for months, said Philadelphia’s Raval-Nelson, including with mock emergency drills and communications with counterparts around the country.—
Lauran Neergaard,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
-
The mock-neck tank pairs effortlessly with jeans, shorts, or skirts, while the floral wide-leg pants can stand on their own with a simple white tee.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
12 June 2026
Adjective
-
The secret to truly great fried chicken is striking the perfect balance between crispy skin and moist, juicy meat.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 June 2026
-
Make fried favorites like french fries and chicken nuggets with 75 percent less fat in this compact air fryer.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Communication ceased for 28 years, which is so long that their silence is now constitutionally eligible to be in the House of Representatives.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
17 June 2026
-
The waiting only ceased with the collapse of the regime in 1990.—
Marzio G. Mian,
Vanity Fair,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
As he was handcuffed and removed from the courtroom, spectators erupted in cheers and applause, according to footage from the courtroom.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
-
The Dallas Cowboys players, and coaches, all love the changes recently made to AT&T Stadium, and come August, the name will go back to its original, the grass will be replaced by a synthetic, and expect the tint in the windows to be removed, too.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Canned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canned. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
