1
as in to attach
to cause (something) to hold to another
use this paper clip to fasten your picture to the application form
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to secure
to put securely in place or in a desired position
don't forget to fasten all the lines on your tent
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to focus
to fix (as one's attention) steadily toward a central objective
if you could fasten your attention on one task for more than a minute, you just might get something done
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 fasten
At the moment of the attack, the patrol was monitoring a black rhino and tracking the animal through a GPS device fastened to its ankle.
—
Ryan Brennan
april 27, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
At the moment of the attack, the patrol was monitoring a black rhino through a GPS device fastened to the animal’s ankle.
—Ryan Brennan
april 27, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2026
My favorite detail is the red ribbon on Giovanna’s right shoulder, which fastens her sleeve to her dress and floats over the darkness.
—Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
The officer opened the door and entered the cell, finding Guaranda Gamboy with a bed sheet tied around his neck with the other end fastened to the door, according to Banevivius.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fasten
Ryan Brennan
april 27, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
At the moment of the attack, the patrol was monitoring a black rhino through a GPS device fastened to the animal’s ankle.
—Ryan Brennan
april 27, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2026
My favorite detail is the red ribbon on Giovanna’s right shoulder, which fastens her sleeve to her dress and floats over the darkness.
—Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
The officer opened the door and entered the cell, finding Guaranda Gamboy with a bed sheet tied around his neck with the other end fastened to the door, according to Banevivius.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fasten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fasten
Verb
-
Bidets that can be attached to your toilet and don’t use electricity can cost around $30, and toilet seats with fancy options such as heated water and air dryers can exceed $600.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
-
There is always pressure attached to El Clasico, but this weekend’s meeting between Barcelona and Real Madrid feels bigger than most.—
Dean Jones,
New York Times,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
On pace to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999 and, with a little bit of luck and a potentially favorable matchup, secure the franchise’s first title since 1973.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
9 May 2026
-
Mejia got Trea Turner to fly out to right, struck out dangerous slugger Kyle Schwarber, and induced Bryce Harper to ground out to second baseman Edouard Julien to secure his second save of the season.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
Policymakers certainly ought to focus on this.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2026
-
Over the past two decades, schools have started requiring even the youngest children to focus on more challenging academic tasks.—
Stacker,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
Black Bear – which denied making such a threat – also required the association to affix the logo of its corporate sponsor, Biggby Coffee, to players’ jerseys, contracts show.—
Kenny Jacoby,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
-
The unlawful taking of any part or accessory affixed to the interior or exterior of a motor vehicle in a manner which would make the item an attachment of the vehicle or necessary for its operation.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
This enabled it to clamp onto objects and then rise while carrying them.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
14 May 2026
-
Wearing trending shades—Phoebe Philo’s oversized Bombé frames, currently clamped over the eyes of everyone from Elsa Hosk to Charli xcx—Rihanna embraced her inner lingerie mogul with bra-first fashion beneath her oversized blazer.—
Olivia Allen,
Vogue,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
The new defaults were concentrated among older borrowers, those in Southern states and people who were not behind on their federal student loans before the pandemic, the researchers wrote.—
Annie Nova,
CNBC,
12 May 2026
-
Wide-ranging and unpredictable symptoms can disrupt a menopausal woman’s ability to concentrate and execute tasks at work.—
Shirley Velasquez,
Flow Space,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Never particularly good at controlling the running game, Doval then let Turang steal second before permitting a game-tying single to William Contreras.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
10 May 2026
-
The Stallions rallied in the fourth quarter with three consecutive goals to tie the game.—
Alex Kushel,
Sun Sentinel,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
There’s also a workshop built around the Juneteenth cookout — exploring recipes, traditions, and the kinds of meals that have long anchored the holiday in Black households and communities.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
14 May 2026
-
Meanwhile, mainstays including Prada, Paul Smith, Etro, and Dolce & Gabbana will continue to anchor the city’s luxury menswear offering.—
Maliha Shoaib,
Vogue,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fasten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fasten. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
