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.
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Recent Examples of can
Chris Torres, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Jan. 2026
There is loud chanting, flags and people banging on cans.
—CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026
The mascot is best known for his signature catch phrase and outrageous costume featuring a red cape, sunglasses and a belt decorated with Duff beer cans.
—Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
Those cans will hit shelves in early 2026.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for can
Noun
Roehling came to Fort Worth from Hempstead, near Houston, with a blow dryer and a can of cattle hair spray.
—Chris Torres, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Jan. 2026
There is loud chanting, flags and people banging on cans.
—CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026
The mascot is best known for his signature catch phrase and outrageous costume featuring a red cape, sunglasses and a belt decorated with Duff beer cans.
—Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
Those cans will hit shelves in early 2026.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for can
Recent Examples of Synonyms for can
Verb
-
On third-and-1 with seven seconds left, Schakel took the snap and tried to spike the ball, which would have stopped the clock and given his team one final play to go for the win.—
Alex Valdes,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Among those who do use an advisor, 26% are considering switching and 18% may stop using an advisor altogether.—
Robert Frank,
CNBC,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Everglades restoration involves removing as many of these dams as possible without risking flood control, while adding more reservoirs for water storage, all to revive a river of grass that flows once more.—
Amy Green,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Staff immediately removed him from his cell and provided medical aid.—
Mars King,
Twin Cities,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Consider fashioning a tin foil hat for your mobile phone.—
Jody Mamone,
Hartford Courant,
2 Jan. 2026
-
At this old-school SoHo institution, the white tablecloths, pressed tin ceilings, and $58 steak au poivre belie a long history of button-pushing and rule-flouting.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
According to online jail records, his bail was set at $250,000.—
Rose Evans,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The cost of Kansas City’s temporary jail facility could jump by nearly $4 million as a city committee recommend additional funding and waiving environmental building standards to keep the project on track for completion before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Outfitted with restrooms, showers, and picnic areas, the full-facility Weeping Ridge family campground has 30 campsites equipped with electricity and water.—
Carrie Honaker,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Men's restrooms do not have these signs.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
And keep your in-flight essentials like headphones, sleep mask, e-reader, and other tech tools together in your personal item that stays with you at the seat rather than in the overhead bin.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The video shows a man call security on a group of women sitting behind him in orchestra seats at the Winter Garden Theatre.—
Kristie Keleshian,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
From December through February, shuttle service largely ceases (outside of select days and weekends; check shuttle schedules for up-to-date details).—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Meanwhile, over in Britain, a vibrant antiwar movement brought on motion after motion in Parliament to cease fire and end all offensive operations against the rebels.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
In September, Hecox filed a notice to dismiss the lawsuit.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Why was Alabama’s 31-17 loss to a 4-8 FSU team so easily dismissed by the committee?—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Can.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/can. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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