1
as in imitative
using or marked by the use of something else as a basis or model
there's a canned quality to the screenplay that reminds you of countless other action movies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in drunk
slang
being under the influence of alcohol
Driving home on New Year's Eve, she worried about other drivers who might be canned.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in stopped
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dismissed
to let go from office, service, or employment
the cashier was summarily canned for stealing from the registers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 canned
Amanda Stanfield, Southern Living, 5 Jan. 2026
Electronics, canned liquids, and musical instruments are all susceptible to damage from extreme cold.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 5 Dec. 2025
Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 6 Jan. 2026
Years ago, Tomasino puréed canned spinach and ran it through a rotary evaporator to remove any aromatics, then offered a sensory panel the result alongside the original.
—Nicola Twilley, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for canned
Adjective
Substitute with canned salmon or crab.
—Amanda Stanfield, Southern Living, 5 Jan. 2026
Electronics, canned liquids, and musical instruments are all susceptible to damage from extreme cold.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 5 Dec. 2025
Verb
Atlanta also canned general manager Terry Fontenot, who has longstanding ties to Broncos head coach Sean Payton from days as an executive in New Orleans, amid sweeping organizational changes after two straight 8-9 seasons.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 6 Jan. 2026
Years ago, Tomasino puréed canned spinach and ran it through a rotary evaporator to remove any aromatics, then offered a sensory panel the result alongside the original.
—Nicola Twilley, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for canned
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canned
Adjective
-
Since then, whenever new tools to crank out communications have become available, somebody has flooded the zone with the fastest, most imitative material that could garner attention.—
Deni Ellis Béchard,
Scientific American,
8 Nov. 2025
-
It may be borrowed or coined, named after a person, inspired by a place or imitative of a sound.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Reading Cassandra’s voice is like reading The Bell Jar’s Esther if Esther were drunk on brandy half the time.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
-
As thousands of medical caregivers walked off the job Monday in what became the largest nurses’ strike in New York City history, officials at a major hospital accused the nurses’ union of making unreasonable demands — including protections for nurses who come to work drunk or high.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Ross, who was one of several federal agents involved in the arrest, initially drew his service weapon, but holstered the gun after Muñoz-Guatemala stopped his car and raised his hands, according to the affidavit.—
Allison Gordon,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Braddy stopped the car, got Quantisha back inside, and put Shandelle in the trunk, before driving for 30 to 45 minutes.—
Nicole Acosta,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Sprowls sued, and an appellate court dismissed the lawsuit, siding with the county party, Davis said.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Jan. 2026
-
In November, a federal judge dismissed the charges against both Comey and James, finding that Halligan had been unlawfully appointed.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Pretzels are often marketed as a better-for-you snack compared to richer, fried alternatives like potato chips.—
Brianna Tobritzhofer,
Health,
30 Dec. 2025
-
The fries were tallow fried and incredibly crisp, which is rare to find since most restaurants use seed oils.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
But after the 2024 election, the flow of migrants all but ceased.—
Kevin Maurer,
Rolling Stone,
13 Jan. 2026
-
In recent years, Blackhawk Bar & Grille and Century Theaters ceased operations at Blackhawk Plaza, which removed significant anchors from the center.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Social workers will give the suitcases to children who are removed from home or moved from place to place, kids who travel on field trips, or reunite with family.—
Sharon Chin,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
-
He was removed by federal agents, who made entry into the residence and took the person to an ambulance.—
Danya Gainor,
CNN Money,
15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The play saw the actors star as two strangers who have a drunken one-night stand after meeting at a wedding.—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Arizona is home to some of the nation's strictest laws on drunken driving.—
Shelby Slade,
AZCentral.com,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Canned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canned. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
