1
as in stops
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 sacks
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 jails
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 restrooms
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 seats
the part of the body upon which someone sits
he fell on the ice and landed on his can
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cans
Mariana Enriquez
october 2, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2025
Ensure cans are sealed and stored properly so the paint doesn’t go bad prematurely.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Oct. 2025
This month a super-practical find—a gadget for opening cans without joint pain—a gluten-free pasta that even gluten-loving folks can get behind, and a new masala chai from one of our favorite spice companies.
—Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Sep. 2025
For me, those staples include homemade bolognese, soup, stock, and sourdough in the freezer; pasta, rice, and a few cans of black beans and chickpeas in the pantry; and bouillon, lemons, dijon mustard, cheese, and of course, pickled red onions in the fridge.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2025
Police used the breath test on Pennington's group after seeing alcohol cans in the vehicle, the court record said.
—Elena Santa Cruz, AZCentral.com, 27 Sep. 2025
During his wrestling days, Austin would take cans of beer and bang them together before pouring them into his mouth, often in waterfall fashion.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2025
Across the steamy Mall, which was increasingly littered with plastic cups and aluminum cans, a Bradley troop carrier was parked at the intersection of two footpaths.
—Seth Harp, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Deputies noted a strong odor of alcohol and found several beer cans scattered around the crash scene.
—Tom Olsen, Twin Cities, 18 Sep. 2025
Noun
Lit candles, images on paper and a plaster statue of the folk saint Gauchito Gil, flowers in green plastic bottles, simple bouquets of jasmine floating in rotten water inside coffee cans, a lot of plastic flowers to keep the place colorful.
—Mariana Enriquez
october 2, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2025
Ensure cans are sealed and stored properly so the paint doesn’t go bad prematurely.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Oct. 2025
This month a super-practical find—a gadget for opening cans without joint pain—a gluten-free pasta that even gluten-loving folks can get behind, and a new masala chai from one of our favorite spice companies.
—Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Sep. 2025
For me, those staples include homemade bolognese, soup, stock, and sourdough in the freezer; pasta, rice, and a few cans of black beans and chickpeas in the pantry; and bouillon, lemons, dijon mustard, cheese, and of course, pickled red onions in the fridge.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2025
Police used the breath test on Pennington's group after seeing alcohol cans in the vehicle, the court record said.
—Elena Santa Cruz, AZCentral.com, 27 Sep. 2025
During his wrestling days, Austin would take cans of beer and bang them together before pouring them into his mouth, often in waterfall fashion.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2025
Across the steamy Mall, which was increasingly littered with plastic cups and aluminum cans, a Bradley troop carrier was parked at the intersection of two footpaths.
—Seth Harp, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Deputies noted a strong odor of alcohol and found several beer cans scattered around the crash scene.
—Tom Olsen, Twin Cities, 18 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cans
Verb
-
The breakthrough centers on a one-atom-thick filter that stops sulfur chains from clogging up the battery.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Oct. 2025
-
My colleague Hannah Pinski hit the road late last week for a couple campaign stops for Massie alongside Paul, his ally in the Senate.—
Lucas Aulbach,
Louisville Courier Journal,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Felix Anudike-Uzomah #97 of the Kansas City Chiefs sacks Bo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos during the fourth quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on November 10, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Aug. 2025
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The Oviedo defense sacks Noah Grubbs on back to back plays to end the first half.—
Buddy Collings,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Aged in rare Chinkapin oak barrels, this limited edition showcases Woodford Reserve’s experimental approach to grain, maturation and wood.—
Gege Reed,
Louisville Courier Journal,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Barrel and bristle materials Most hot-air brush barrels are made of chrome, ceramic or tourmaline.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Juan Pappier, the deputy Americas director at Human Rights Watch, says that currently there are 89 foreign nationals imprisoned in Venezuelan jails, from countries that include Colombia, Spain, Argentina, France and the Czech Republic.—
Manuel Rueda,
NPR,
4 Oct. 2025
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Israel is also set to release Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails, as part of the truce and in return for hostages.—
Laura Kelly,
The Hill,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
But at some closed park locations, services will be stripped to the bone, including no trash collection, restrooms, road or walkway maintenance or visitor information.—
Alana Wise,
NPR,
4 Oct. 2025
-
The restaurant didn’t have soap at both front restrooms.—
Sarah Linn,
Sacbee.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The new party might have to limit itself to running only for seats that neither Reform nor the Conservatives could possibly win, for example.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Halloween-style may not to be worn upon entry and in concourses but will be permitted when guests are in seats.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The crucial monthly jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics was not published Friday and is among the data that will be delayed at least until the government shutdown ends.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The deal ends a legal dispute that began last year when Attorney General Dave Yost sued the school to block the potential sale of books and rare manuscripts from HUC's Klau Library.—
Dan Horn,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Back in a hotel room on Fifth Avenue, Goldberg-Polin removes her jacket and sits down on a couch to speak with a reporter.—
Romina Ruiz-Goiriena,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
-
The new law removes the certificate of need requirement for facilities with four or fewer beds, a major obstacle that previously hindered their creation.—
Killian Baarlaer,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cans. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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