Synonyms of nick

nick 1 of 2

noun

ˈnik 

1

as in chip

a V-shaped cut usually on an edge or a surface

I made a nick in the frame when I accidentally dropped it

Synonyms & Similar Words

• chip
• slit
• hack
• groove
• slot
• indent
• indentation
• punch
• notch
• kerf
• indenture
• nock
• score
• snip
• undercut
• joggle

2

as in jail

British slang a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody

the blokes at the pub traded stories of nights spent in the nick after having lifted too many pints

Synonyms & Similar Words

• jail
• prison
• penitentiary
• brig
• bastille
• pen
• pokey
• slammer
• stockade
• lockup
• hock
• bridewell
• calaboose
• big house
• coop
• guardroom
• hoosegow
• jug
• cooler
• jailhouse
• tolbooth
• can
• clink
• cage
• stir
• cell
• joint
• bull pen
• slam
• tank
• quod
• hole
• ward
• hold
• dungeon
• guardhouse
• stalag
• block
• concentration camp
• work camp
• glasshouse
• keep
• prison camp
• labor camp
• oubliette
• reformatory
• gulag
• hulk(s)
• reform school
• training school

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• outside

3

as in shape

British a state of being or fitness

the princess is in excellent nick these days

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shape
• condition
• health
• repair
• form
• order
• estate
• trim
• keeping
• fettle
• kilter
• practice
• phase
• practise
• situation
• stage
• pass
• status
• scene
• picture
• standing
• posture
• rank
• footing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disorder
• disrepair

nick

2 of 2

verb

British slang

1

as in to steal

to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep

that lorry was a piece of rubbish, I don't know why anyone would want to nick it

Synonyms & Similar Words

• steal
• swipe
• rob
• grab
• snitch
• pinch
• lift
• pocket
• snatch
• nip
• rip off
• appropriate
• pilfer
• hook
• filch
• thieve
• misappropriate
• walk off with
• run off with
• boost
• make away with
• purloin
• hijack
• pick
• make off with
• sack
• take
• knock over
• heist
• seize
• loot
• plunder
• rifle
• burglarize
• pillage
• nail
• collar
• grasp
• spirit
• kidnap
• poach
• rustle
• sponge
• highjack
• shoplift
• shanghai
• abduct
• mooch
• carjack

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• buy
• purchase
• give
• present
• contribute
• hand over
• donate
• bestow

2

as in to arrest

to take or keep under one's control by authority of law

a petty thief who was always getting nicked for picking the pockets of tourists outside Buckingham Palace

Synonyms & Similar Words

• arrest
• seize
• grab
• apprehend
• pinch
• detain
• restrain
• run in
• nail
• jail
• pull in
• snatch
• capture
• catch
• nab
• bust
• collar
• commit
• pick up
• trap
• hook
• snare
• confine
• snap (up)
• land
• imprison
• incarcerate
• get
• bag
• grapple
• bind
• intern
• lock (up)
• hold
• jug
• handcuff
• immure
• shackle
• manacle
• trammel
• fetter
• remand
• enchain
• rearrest

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discharge
• release
• free
• loose
• spring
• liberate
• loosen
• emancipate
• unbind
• unchain

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of nick

Noun

Advanced Sonic Dermaplaning, an electric razor that whisks away hair, peach fuzz, and dead skin cells without irritation or nicks. —Ariel Wodarcyk, Glamour, 16 May 2025

Really dense part of the schedule here where these nicks and bruises are part of it. —Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2025

Verb

The rookie, coming off a rough outing against the Nationals last weekend, was nicked by the Royals for five runs on seven hits through four-plus innings. —Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2025

According to the strike zone box on MLB.com, the pitch Johnson called strike two against Tatis in the eighth inning nicked the bottom of the zone. —Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 May 2025

Phrases Containing nick

• Old Nick