Synonyms of stick

stick 1 of 2

verb

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

• adhere
• cling
• glue
• cleave
• hew
• bind
• fuse
• fasten
• unite
• cohere

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fall
• loosen
• drop

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

• put
• situate
• place
• position
• locate
• lay
• deposit
• set
• dispose
• fix
• set up
• depose
• emplace
• move
• park
• slap
• establish
• lock
• plant
• carry
• rearrange
• shift
• orient
• clap
• reorder
• collect
• assemble
• niche
• affix
• plop
• plunk
• settle
• wedge
• plump
• plank
• anchor
• line up
• plunk down
• set down
• lay out
• flop
• ensconce
• rank
• lodge
• array
• queue
• berth

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• remove
• take
• relocate
• replace
• supersede
• displace
• banish
• dislodge
• supplant

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

• stab
• pick
• pierce
• puncture
• jab
• spit
• peck
• spear
• poke
• pink
• impale
• lance
• skewer
• harpoon
• spike
• punch
• run through
• transfix
• slice
• gore
• transpierce
• perforate
• cut
• knife
• pike
• spindle
• thrust
• prick
• riddle
• bayonet
• prong
• quill
• poniard
• gimlet
• pinprick
• dirk

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

• squeeze
• pluck
• cheat
• screw
• sting
• beat
• hustle
• do
• bleed
• sucker
• trick
• stiff
• short
• shake down
• deceive
• fiddle
• chisel
• skin
• ream
• victimize
• shortchange
• diddle
• rip off
• gaff
• fleece
• defraud
• chouse
• hose
• con
• nobble
• swindle
• mulct
• take for a ride
• exploit
• rook
• bilk
• betray
• fool
• skunk
• euchre
• take to the cleaners
• cozen
• flimflam
• thimblerig
• wrench
• clip
• sell a bill of goods to
• do in
• gouge
• extort
• nick
• soak
• wring
• wrest
• milk
• dupe
• bitch
• overcharge
• rope (in)
• double-cross
• gull
• bamboozle
• fast-talk

stick

2 of 2

noun

1

as in finger

Related Words

• finger
• patty
• fritter
• cutlet
• cake
• croquette
• galette
• gâteau

2

as in clam

Related Words

• clam
• iceberg
• icicle
• wallflower
• cold turkey
• snob
• snot
• cold fish
• prig
• stuffed shirt
• snoot

Dissimilar Words

• dear
• sweetheart
• sweetie

3

as in beam

Related Words

• beam
• stake
• pile
• sill
• splint
• brace
• post
• wood
• stave
• lumber
• ridgepole
• timber
• block
• billet
• bar
• firewood
• cordwood

4

as in stab

Related Words

• stab
• push
• shove
• punch
• jam
• jab
• jerk
• dig
• lunge
• nudge
• jog
• poke
• dab

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

Recent Examples of stick

Verb

Warnings about the radicalism of Jay Jones and Spanberger never stuck. —Ray Nothstine, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026

Once customers see results, the switch tends to stick, Thurswell says, but some of the market may never come around to the concept. —Krysta Escobar, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2026

Noun

Tom Wilson's errant pass from the corner in his own zone ended up on Barzal's stick right in front of the net. —CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026

The instructors walked in circles around me, moving closer and farther from my ears, hitting bowls, wind chimes, a rain stick, a thumb piano, and a tambor oceánico, an instrument filled with pellets that made a sound like breaking waves. —John Bowe, Travel + Leisure, 1 Feb. 2026

Phrases Containing stick

• stick (to or with)
• stick around
• stick in one's craw
• stick out
• stick up for