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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sticking
With nearly all of the 10 million Indians who live in the Gulf sticking it out during the conflict with Iran, efforts by New Delhi to overhaul the rights of its workers abroad are falling short of what is needed, according to the Indian news outlet Scroll.
—
Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 30 Mar. 2026
In Texas, a man was charged after allegedly sticking his camera up the skirt of an agent during a showing.
—Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 29 Mar. 2026
A day earlier, a New Mexico jury also found Meta liable for making decisions that harmed its young users, sticking Meta with a $375 million bill.
—Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 28 Mar. 2026
The arrangements are not exactly the same as last year, however, as Dylan fans were surprised to hear his band sticking only to acoustic guitars and not electrics during the year’s opening shows.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026
Big Jay wasn’t as free range, sticking close to the Kansas cheerleaders.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Tobias said those decisions likely reflect judges sticking closely to the statute and reacting to how the administration has handled past appointments.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 22 Mar. 2026
Video and images released by state media showed Kim’s daughter sticking her head out of the driver’s hatch of a moving, olive green tank while her smiling father sat on top with three soldiers.
—Hyung-Jin Kim, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
The 912 filled that gap below the new halo car starting in 1965, sticking the old 356’s flat-four motor into the new model’s body.
—Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2026
Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 30 Mar. 2026
In Texas, a man was charged after allegedly sticking his camera up the skirt of an agent during a showing.
—Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 29 Mar. 2026
A day earlier, a New Mexico jury also found Meta liable for making decisions that harmed its young users, sticking Meta with a $375 million bill.
—Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 28 Mar. 2026
The arrangements are not exactly the same as last year, however, as Dylan fans were surprised to hear his band sticking only to acoustic guitars and not electrics during the year’s opening shows.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026
Big Jay wasn’t as free range, sticking close to the Kansas cheerleaders.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Tobias said those decisions likely reflect judges sticking closely to the statute and reacting to how the administration has handled past appointments.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 22 Mar. 2026
Video and images released by state media showed Kim’s daughter sticking her head out of the driver’s hatch of a moving, olive green tank while her smiling father sat on top with three soldiers.
—Hyung-Jin Kim, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
The 912 filled that gap below the new halo car starting in 1965, sticking the old 356’s flat-four motor into the new model’s body.
—Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sticking
Verb
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What researchers do know is that the sounds come from stick-slip friction—the regular cycles of two objects adhering and moving between one another.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
25 Feb. 2026
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Homeowners should avoid painting the exterior of their home if the temperature or humidity is expected to fluctuate significantly, as this could leave bubbles or prevent the paint from adhering properly.—
Timothy Dale,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The city is putting the North Texas Street business district in the spotlight as other local investments, like building a new recreation center, are underway.—
Ashley Sharp,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
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The Heat made a third-quarter push to get back into the game, putting together its own impressive shooting display in the period.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Two teenagers are facing charges in connection to a Hackensack, New Jersey, stabbing that sent one of them to the hospital.—
CBS New York Team,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
According to Prescott, Walker appeared intent on stabbing the policeman before he was shot.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Serve with garlic toasts and lemon wedges for squeezing over if desired.—
Rebecca Firkser,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
25 Mar. 2026
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Photos and video show the explorers squeezing through jagged crevices deep inside the karsts, using flashlights to guide them further along an otherwise pitch-black maze of rocky burrows.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Many are still processing the loss while clinging on to Coleman's memory.—
Adi Guajardo,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
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The cake is finished cooking when a wooden pick comes out with moist bits clinging to it.—
Robin Miller,
AZCentral.com,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But increasingly, vessels are taking a different route, to the north around Larak Island, placing them in Iran’s territorial waters and closer to the Iranian coastline.—
David McHugh,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
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The scandal is now expanding into an international investigation, placing Miami at the center of a complex web of shell companies, offshore transfers and opaque financial flows.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The 6-foot-1 guard followed up his 36-point night against the Hawks by picking the Hornets apart with paint jumpers, going 8-for-10 in the paint with just one shot inside the restricted area.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
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Even if the Broncos trust Dobbins to become durable, picking his successor is logical.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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When not plucking away at a keyboard, Madison teaches yoga and mountain bikes with her two Australian shepherds, Cholla and Poppy, through Missoula's Rattlesnake Wilderness.—
Madison Dapcevich,
Outside,
28 Mar. 2026
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And don’t forget the era of over-plucking—ahem, from the currently trending ‘90s—which resulted in super-thin eyebrows that never really fully grew back.—
Ana Morales,
Vogue,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sticking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sticking. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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