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

Customers with handwritten project lists push oversized carts toward aisles stacked with plywood, power tools and paint cans. —Alexandria Mansfield, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026

Police found him in a hotel room surrounded by air duster cans, and he was booked on a misdemeanor charge related to the use or inhalation of a volatile chemical. —Ryan Brennan april 15, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2026

At one point, pro-Disney workers showed up with baseball bats and gasoline cans, poured out the gasoline, and threatened to light the picket line on fire. —Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 2026

Rookie catcher Carter Jensen followed and also hit a can of corn to Acuña. —Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 14 Apr. 2026