1
as in adhering
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in putting
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 stabbing
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 squeezing
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
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 sticking
The sun’s connection to Saturn shows that sticking it out was the right call.
—
Usa Today, USA Today, 2 June 2026
That's not to say fundamental investors should be ostriches, sticking their heads in the ground and avoiding the big picture and market trends.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 1 June 2026
After a doctor’s discharge, Q forced the family from the house and attempted suicide by sticking his head in the oven.
—Jonathan Rowe, SPIN, 1 June 2026
With citations to academic research, Horvath argues students learn better on paper and through discussion, and schools are harming children by sticking them behind a screen.
—Tyler Kingkade, NBC news, 31 May 2026
In the end, there was an acceptance that sticking rather than twisting was the most sensible option.
—Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 28 May 2026
Keep Light Bulbs From Sticking Outdoor light bulbs can have a knack for sticking in the socket after long periods of time, leaving you with the task of trying to unscrew a stubborn bulb without breaking the glass.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 28 May 2026
In the short time McDaniel has been with the Chargers, Henley has grown accustomed to the unexpected from him, including sticking his nose into a defensive meeting once in a while.
—Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 28 May 2026
Then, fill them with soil or compost before sticking the seeds in.
—Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 22 May 2026
Usa Today, USA Today, 2 June 2026
That's not to say fundamental investors should be ostriches, sticking their heads in the ground and avoiding the big picture and market trends.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 1 June 2026
After a doctor’s discharge, Q forced the family from the house and attempted suicide by sticking his head in the oven.
—Jonathan Rowe, SPIN, 1 June 2026
With citations to academic research, Horvath argues students learn better on paper and through discussion, and schools are harming children by sticking them behind a screen.
—Tyler Kingkade, NBC news, 31 May 2026
In the end, there was an acceptance that sticking rather than twisting was the most sensible option.
—Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 28 May 2026
Keep Light Bulbs From Sticking Outdoor light bulbs can have a knack for sticking in the socket after long periods of time, leaving you with the task of trying to unscrew a stubborn bulb without breaking the glass.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 28 May 2026
In the short time McDaniel has been with the Chargers, Henley has grown accustomed to the unexpected from him, including sticking his nose into a defensive meeting once in a while.
—Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 28 May 2026
Then, fill them with soil or compost before sticking the seeds in.
—Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 22 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sticking
Verb
-
That rules out Virginia shifting its map to better favor Democrats in the upcoming midterms, Green said, but doesn’t bar them from starting the process over, adhering more closely to the rules, and changing the lines for future races.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
-
Harding’s caucus often has chastised Democrats for not adhering strictly to state budget limitations.—
Keith M. Phaneuf,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Keep putting that chip on his shoulder.—
Bruce Feldman,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
-
Goldstein co-wrote the script with fellow Ted Lasso co-creator Joe Kelly and penned it specifically for Lopez, while also putting himself in the leading man role.—
Kirsten Chuba,
HollywoodReporter,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Advertisement In the fight, Ruben begins to strangle Niall, though Niall protects himself by stabbing Ruben in the side with a knife.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
29 May 2026
-
The 23-year-old man was suicidal and held a butcher’s knife to his own throat before charging at officers and stabbing both Officer Mark Moore and a police dog at an Aurora apartment complex.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
After squeezing the game’s final out, first baseman Leyton MacPherson casually flipped the ball in the air, joined her teammate in a sprint toward Spangler, and gloves began flying.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 May 2026
-
After a week of squeezing through the dangerous, mazelike cave network, divers Mikko Paasi and Norrased Palasing emerged from its muddy waters Wednesday to find a cause for hope.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Here, as ever, Kokopeli suggests that clinging to youthful talismans offers no protection against uncertainty, and reasserts the odd mix of disaffection and morbid glee produced by such reactionary impulses.—
Theo Belci,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
-
The company ceased clinging exclusively to Windows and aggressively pivoted toward cloud computing, artificial intelligence and open platforms.—
Veronica Angela,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Fairley also admitted Thursday to placing wagers and recruiting and bribing college basketball players to underperform in games in a separate NCAA point-shaving case brought by federal prosecutors in Pennsylvania.—
Tom Winter,
NBC news,
28 May 2026
-
In my opinion, Carl can self-sabotage by amplifying the scale, scope and landscape of what had been negotiated, accordingly placing himself and his counterparties at odds.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
The parliamentary election will decide the next government, with the winning party picking the prime minister.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
-
There is not one set rule on picking a captain, especially for a World Cup.—
Michael Lewis,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Each following June, Kvaratskhelia would repeat the ritual, plucking the early growers from the tree.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
-
The only thing that prevented a shutout was Ross Colton plucking in a rebound off Brent Burns’ sniper off Hart’s chest.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
23 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sticking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sticking. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
