1
as in to stop
slang
to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end
can the chatter, or I'm kicking you out of this library
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to remove
to let go from office, service, or employment
the cashier was summarily canned for stealing from the registers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in jail
a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody
the racketeers were rounded up and thrown in the can
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in restroom
a room furnished with a fixture for flushing body waste
I excused myself and asked if I could use the can
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in seat
the part of the body upon which someone sits
he fell on the ice and landed on his can
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 can
The Ai Insider, Interesting Engineering, 27 Oct. 2025
The Ministry of Health & Wellness advised Jamaicans to punch holes in old cans and cover water drums to cut down on the mosquito breeding because mosquito control activities wouldn’t happen until well after Melissa.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
Synthetic chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), commonly used in refrigerants and aerosol cans, were tearing holes in the ozone layer, letting harmful ultraviolet radiation pour through.
—New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2025
Diet Cherry Coke, which made a brief, limited-time comeback in retro cans and bottles sold at select retailers over the summer, is expected to return permanently in early 2026, Parade reported this week.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for can
Noun
Ads might come next, but that opens another can of privacy worms.
—The Ai Insider, Interesting Engineering, 27 Oct. 2025
The Ministry of Health & Wellness advised Jamaicans to punch holes in old cans and cover water drums to cut down on the mosquito breeding because mosquito control activities wouldn’t happen until well after Melissa.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
Synthetic chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), commonly used in refrigerants and aerosol cans, were tearing holes in the ozone layer, letting harmful ultraviolet radiation pour through.
—New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2025
Diet Cherry Coke, which made a brief, limited-time comeback in retro cans and bottles sold at select retailers over the summer, is expected to return permanently in early 2026, Parade reported this week.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for can
Recent Examples of Synonyms for can
Verb
-
The former instantly adds a second layer of security against unwanted guests, and the latter emits an ultra-loud alarm while acting like a door stop wedge, scaring off any stranger who tries to enter your room.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Oct. 2025
-
And Los Angeles did not stop there.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Scientists have developed a new method that removes toxic pollutants from wastewater.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Its unique formula can remove stains, dissolve adhesives, and cut through soap scum and grease.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The more than 20-piece lineup revisits Calvin Klein’s ‘90s DNA with a modern edge—think darted carpenter jeans with contrast stitching, loose-fitting barrel silhouettes and a mix of puffers, trucker jackets along with the brand’s signature cotton basics like T-shirts, underwear and tank tops.—
Andre Claudio,
Sourcing Journal,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Melissa barrels into Cuba ⛈️ After hammering Jamaica with high winds and torrential rains, Hurricane Melissa, downgraded on Wednesday to a Category 2 storm (from a Cat 5), barreled into Cuba.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Now, there's no possibility a bar owner will lose their license or face jail time.—
Hope Karnopp,
jsonline.com,
27 Oct. 2025
-
The prosecution opposed the request, arguing that jail clothing assists with safety and identification.—
Jenna Sundel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The resort’s main public spaces—pool deck, restaurants, reception, public restrooms, and lounge area—are all accessible.—
Kate Van Dyke,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The witness walked with the victim to the restroom and waited outside, according to the report.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Every backpack has its own unique features—some can fit snuggly under a plane seat, while others come in a water-resistant and lightweight material.—
Michelle Baricevic,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Their seats were in front of the legendary Dodgers pitcher Sandy Koufax.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In a filing on Friday, the nearly-defunct federal body sought summary judgment in NPR’s lawsuit against the organization over its decision to appropriate funding for satellite distribution to a select group of NPR member stations before the CPB ceases operations.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Congress failed to pass a budget or temporary funding measure before the federal fiscal year ended on October 1, forcing many federal agencies to cease all non-mandatory operations.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In July 2024, Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter trial ended by being dismissed with prejudice after his attorneys argued that prosecutors had buried evidence.—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
-
In Monday’s filing, lawyers for Robert Morris and his wife, Debbie Morris, argue Clemishire’s claims should be dismissed in part because the statute of limitations on them have expired.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Can.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/can. Accessed 1 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share