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
Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 9 Aug. 2025
In a new study, glass bottles contained far more microplastics than plastic bottles or cans, likely from the caps.
—Julia Ries, Health, 9 Aug. 2025
Four empty cans and a takeout drink are on the stairs.
—David K. Li, NBC news, 8 Aug. 2025
Even dry cat food has some moisture in it but cans of wet food definitely have water in them.
—Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 3 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for can
Noun
Outside food, beverage, liquid containers, alcohol, cans, bottles, flasks (hydroflasks, metal, etc.) or coolers.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 9 Aug. 2025
In a new study, glass bottles contained far more microplastics than plastic bottles or cans, likely from the caps.
—Julia Ries, Health, 9 Aug. 2025
Four empty cans and a takeout drink are on the stairs.
—David K. Li, NBC news, 8 Aug. 2025
Even dry cat food has some moisture in it but cans of wet food definitely have water in them.
—Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 3 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for can
Recent Examples of Synonyms for can
Verb
-
Texas Democrats fled their state on August 3, heading to Illinois, New York and Massachusetts, in order to stop Republicans from approving the redrawn House maps sought by President Donald Trump that would give the GOP five more winnable seats before next year's midterm elections.—
Khaleda Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Aug. 2025
-
After that the Padres, out of nowhere, just stopped hitting.—
Mike Lupica,
New York Daily News,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Kennedy has removed the 17 experts on the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, replacing them with an anti-vaccine cadre of seven mostly unqualified individuals.—
Judy Stone,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
-
In an attempt to simplify its offerings, OpenAI had initially removed all previous AI models from ChatGPT when GPT-5 launched on August 7, forcing users to adopt the new model without warning.—
Benj Edwards,
ArsTechnica,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Secure burn barrels: If burning is authorized in your vicinity, ensure that all burn barrels feature a weighted metal cover with holes no larger than 3/4 of an inch.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
23 Aug. 2025
-
India was the second-largest buyer of Russian oil, importing 1.6 million barrels per day in the first half of this year, up from 50,000 bpd in 2020, though still trailing China’s 2 million bpd imports, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
He was ordered to complete the 150-day jail sentence.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
23 Aug. 2025
-
Thaksin also faces another key legal test in September, when the Supreme Court will decide whether his six-month stint in hospital detention prior to his release on parole in 2024 should count as time served in a jail term for abuse of power and conflicts of interest.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
For example, the company decided in January to reverse its open-door policy, meaning only paying customers were allowed to use its restrooms.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
15 Aug. 2025
-
The city had just gone toe-to-toe with state lawmakers over Charlotte’s nondiscrimination ordinance, which allowed transgender people to use public restrooms that aligned with their gender identity.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Sheffield will face off Triumph Church Pastor Solomon Kinloch for the seat.—
Dana Afana,
Freep.com,
23 Aug. 2025
-
Now, a major European rail operator, Ireland’s Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail), has warned customers that its train inspectors will issue €100 fines for etiquette crimes such as playing music without earphones, vaping and putting bags or feet on seats, The Journal reports.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
23 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis ceased in April 2022, and both sides have maintained a truce that has been described as fragile but enduring.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Nashville Church of Christ, a nonprofit, acquired property of former downtown congregation Central Church of Christ through merger, and ceased in-person worship gatherings.—
Liam Adams,
The Tennessean,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Boston Magazine reported that during her training she was ultimately dismissed for administering opiates without a doctor’s order and leaving her shift early.—
Christina Coulter,
People.com,
16 Aug. 2025
-
Bond's attorneys filed a lawsuit against the unnamed accuser, and the suit was ultimately dismissed.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Can.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/can. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share