Synonyms of can

can 1 of 2

verb

ˈkan 

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

• stop
• cease
• halt
• end
• quit
• conclude
• discontinue
• delay
• suspend
• drop
• cut off
• break
• lay off
• desist (from)
• finish
• cut out
• shut off
• check
• leave off
• have done with
• break off
• complete
• give over
• break up
• pack (up or in)
• knock off
• hold
• close (down)
• hinder
• impede
• put the kibosh on
• stay
• block
• ruin
• suppress
• pause
• call
• obstruct
• detain
• destroy
• deactivate
• kill
• stem
• hold back
• abort
• scuttle
• turn back
• dissolve
• dam
• abolish
• squelch
• demolish
• brake
• stamp
• stunt
• clamp down
• arrest
• squash
• blockade
• annul
• rein (in)
• snuff
• kibosh
• stanch

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• continue
• proceed
• carry on
• keep up
• run on
• advance
• progress
• drive
• follow through (with)
• stir
• propel
• actuate
• impel

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

• remove
• dismiss
• sack
• retire
• fire
• release
• terminate
• muster out
• bounce
• ax
• discharge
• turn off
• pink-slip
• lay off
• excess
• send packing
• downsize
• show (someone) the door
• unseat
• cashier
• trim
• kick out
• separate
• chuck (out)
• throw out
• drum (out)
• boot (out)
• furlough

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• employ
• retain
• engage
• keep
• hire
• take on
• sign (up or on)
• contract
• recruit
• rehire
• reemploy
• subcontract

can

2 of 2

noun

ˈkan 

1

as in tin

a metal container in the shape of a cylinder

the shelter stores huge cans of water for an emergency

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tin
• barrel
• drum
• bucket
• canister
• tin can
• pail
• cannikin

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

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• outside

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

• restroom
• bathroom
• toilet
• water closet
• convenience
• bath
• loo
• john
• washroom
• comfort station
• bog
• lavatory
• potty
• cloakroom
• latrine
• head
• privy
• pan
• pot
• commode
• powder room
• outhouse
• half bath
• ladies
• jakes
• ladies' room
• men's room
• garderobe

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

• seat
• cheeks
• bum
• tail
• behind
• rear end
• tail end
• bottom
• rump
• rear
• duff
• butt
• fanny
• beam
• backside
• buns
• hams
• nates
• fundament
• caboose
• buttocks
• posterior
• breech
• booty
• haunches
• keister
• tush
• stern
• derriere
• heinie
• hunkers
• moon

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of can

Noun

At a local Autozone there was a run on gas cans as people rushed to purchase fuel to power their generators. — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Remember the old Popeye and spinach routine, where the squinty-eyed sailor scarfs down a can of leafy greens and his muscles practically burst out of his shirt? — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 15 Oct. 2026

Roadside litter is mostly things like cans and water bottles, but micro-litter is also a big problem, TxDOT said. — Katie Standing, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

But don’t be sneaking just any old can of pumpkin into your cart. — Libby Monteith Minor, Southern Living, 14 Oct. 2026