stick 1 of 2

verb

Definition of sticknext
1
as in to adhere
to hold to something firmly as if by adhesion those magnets are strong enough to stick to the refrigerator without any problems

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to put
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to stab
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object could hardly feel the needle when the nurse stuck my arm with it

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to squeeze
to rob by the use of trickery or threats she got stuck by an unscrupulous seller while using the online auction site

Synonyms & Similar Words

stick

2 of 2

noun

1
as in finger

Related Words
2
as in clam

Related Words

Dissimilar Words
3
as in beam

Related Words
4
as in stab

Related Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb stick contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of stick are adhere, cleave, cling, and cohere. While all these words mean "to become closely attached," stick implies attachment by affixing or by being glued together.

couldn't get the label to stick

When would adhere be a good substitute for stick?

While in some cases nearly identical to stick, adhere is often interchangeable with stick but sometimes implies a growing together.

antibodies adhering to a virus

When is cleave a more appropriate choice than stick?

While the synonyms cleave and stick are close in meaning, cleave stresses strength of attachment.

the wet shirt cleaved to his back

In what contexts can cling take the place of stick?

The meanings of cling and stick largely overlap; however, cling implies attachment by hanging on with arms or tendrils.

clinging to a capsized boat

When might cohere be a better fit than stick?

In some situations, the words cohere and stick are roughly equivalent. However, cohere suggests a sticking together of parts so that they form a unified mass.

eggs will make the mixture cohere

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 stick
Verb
While initially designed to be used in a rocket artillery system, it was modified to be attached to a first-person-view drone using a wooden stick, wire and duct tape, CAR said. —Catherine Nicholls, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025 Plus, the best peel-and-stick wallpaper, tiles and decor to give that can give a space a fall refresh. —Christian Orozco, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
The recurrent staging only makes the show’s narrative feel more insular, which works fine when there’s forward momentum, but this one is stuck looking backward. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 16 Oct. 2025 The key difference is there are no questions about Adames' ability to stick at shortstop. —Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stick
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stick
  1. adhere
  2. put
  3. stab
  4. squeeze
  5. finger
  6. clam
  7. beam
  8. push
Verb
  • But the kitchen, overseen by Curtola along with the chef de cuisine Ben Zook, seems more interested in conjuring an authenticity of atmosphere than in adhering strictly to traditional recipes or preparations.
    — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2025
  • But the vote by the CDC’s advisory committee carries additional implications for vaccine access since some states adhere closely to its recommendations.
    — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2025
Definition of adhere
Verb
  • Pair it with tights, knee-high boots, and a denim jacket for an effortlessly put together look.
    — Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
  • This could further drive up longtime residents’ property tax bills and put them at risk of losing their homes to the land bank eventually, too.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2025
Definition of put
Verb
  • Michael Anthony Arredondo, 34, is charged in suspicion of first-degree murder in the June 2017 stabbing death of 25-year-old Evin Paulos.
    — Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Ellis then turned back to Julian and stabbed him in the back.
    — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
Definition of stab
Verb
  • In a sector already squeezed by rising land prices, material costs, and labor shortages, those weeks of manual quantification represent millions of dollars in overhead that never swing a hammer.
    — Jon Stojan, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Made mostly of muscle without a bone in their bodies, these wonderful weirdos can squeeze into spaces scarcely bigger than their eyeballs.
    — Kate Siber, Outside, 21 Oct. 2025
Definition of squeeze
Noun
  • To test for moisture, stick your finger 1 to 2 inches into the soil.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2025
  • But for the first six weeks of this 49ers’ season, that art has looked more like a toddler’s finger-painting project.
    — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 20 Oct. 2025
Definition of finger
Noun
  • The tiny shrimp-like crustaceans quickly returned to the clam, suggesting a strong relationship with the host species.
    — Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Like previous-generation models, the charging case has a slide-open top, rather than open like a clam.
    — PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 29 Sep. 2025
Definition of clam
Noun
  • There are vaulted ceilings, post-and-beam construction, two kitchens, two living rooms and a ballroom.
    — David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2025
  • The receiver can self-calibrate, detect weak signals with high accuracy, and operate invisibly, all using beams of light.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
Definition of beam
Noun
  • Wander is accused of lying to lenders and investors, not policyholders, but the case is likely to focus more attention on Wall Street’s insurance push.
    — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Through six weeks, Philadelphia’s front can’t produce a push and Saquon Barkley looks less than explosive.
    — Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 17 Oct. 2025
Definition of push

Phrases Containing stick

Browse Nearby Words

stews
stick
stick around
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Cite this Entry

“Stick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stick. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on stick

Nglish: Translation of stick for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stick

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