Synonym Chooser

How is the word fasten distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of fasten are affix, attach, and fix. While all these words mean "to make something stay firmly in place," fasten implies an action such as tying, buttoning, nailing, locking, or otherwise securing.

fasten the reins to a post

When is it sensible to use affix instead of fasten?

In some situations, the words affix and fasten are roughly equivalent. However, affix implies an imposing of one thing on another by gluing, impressing, or nailing.

affix your address label here

When could attach be used to replace fasten?

Although the words attach and fasten have much in common, attach suggests a connecting or uniting by a bond, link, or tie in order to keep things together.

attach the W-2 form here

When can fix be used instead of fasten?

While the synonyms fix and fasten are close in meaning, fix usually implies a driving in, implanting, or embedding.

fixed the stake in the ground

Examples 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 fasten These covers slide onto your faucet and fasten easily with a hook-and-loop strap and cord. Nora Colomer, Fox News, 9 Dec. 2024 Southwest Airlines will start landing procedures at a higher altitude, requiring travelers to fasten their seatbelts and put away laptops and tray tables earlier in the flight. Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 2 Dec. 2024 While the brooches Queen Camilla fastened to her coat collar held significant sentimental value, the color of her ensemble also featured a certain sartorial message. Julia Teti, WWD, 26 Dec. 2024 Middleton looked vibrant and healthy while wearing a long red coat with a large black bow fastened to the collar. Janelle Ash, Fox News, 7 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fasten 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fasten
Verb
  • There are mainly two types of focus placement in monocular design: one where the focus wheel is attached to the top of the body and the other where a collar is built into the body.
    Matt Morris, Space.com, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Some of the cables he’s found are as thick as a pinky finger and, when attached to the right tree, are strong enough to anchor an elephant calf.
    Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Candidates find themselves in a precarious position, balancing the desire to secure fair compensation against the fear of jeopardizing the opportunity.
    Jack Kelly, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Luna also announced the deployment of 400 National Guard troops to aid in securing evacuation zones and deterring further looting, with more reinforcements expected.
    Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 13 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • This is a Trump presidency with a sharper and clearer mission: focus more than ever on the issues that resonate with everyday Americans, like housing and keeping us out of forever wars, and, above all else, putting America first.
    Cole Marting, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2025
  • While the Equal Employment Opportunity rule focuses on federal contractors, Mr. Trump's executive orders could spill over to private employers, said Alex Hontos, a partner at law firm Dorsey & Whitney and expert on government contracting.
    Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Police already utilize varying tracking techniques, including the use of drones and GPS trackers that can be fired and affixed to a fleeing vehicle.
    Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 15 Jan. 2025
  • Painted on slabs of vinyl affixed to the brick, the mural — a large rectangle about the size of the building’s ground floor — featured a background that appeared to depict mass graves, weeping mothers, drones and other scenes of carnage in Gaza.
    Andrew Lapin, Sun Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • His lips, typically clamped in a rigid line, curled into a smile.
    Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025
  • In our lab, two testers clamped opposite ends and pulled as far as possible, then checked if the tights returned to their original shape after releasing.
    L.A. Hubilla, People.com, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The 10 least relaxed states were all concentrated in the southern and southwestern states.
    Madeline Fitzgerald, Quartz, 19 Jan. 2025
  • Once a fire gets into the canyons, the fire just gets concentrated and all of the oxygen from being pulled through the canyon just fuels it.
    Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • But good times didn’t last as Morgan scored 10 of the Cornhuskers’ next 15 points to tie the score at 24 with 7:42 left in the first half.
    Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 19 Jan. 2025
  • Minnesota had a distinct advantage on the glass and in the paint in the first half and went to the break tied 60-60.
    Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 19 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • There have been rumors of Holland and Zendaya getting hitched for a while, culminating in some of the most upsetting AI art your aunt could ever share on Facebook.
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2025
  • There's criticism the show doesn't fully leverage its winning concept, sometimes opting to focus on filler 'what if' questions few considered (has anyone really been wondering what would happen if Howard the Duck got hitched?).
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near fasten

Cite this Entry

“Fasten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fasten. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on fasten

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!