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locks 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of lock
1
as in latches

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2
as in wraps

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locks

2 of 2

noun

plural of lock
as in certainties
one that is certain to succeed the governor is regarded as a lock for his party's presidential nomination

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 locks
Noun
Some of the projects focus educating people about safe firearm storage, including distributing safety devices like gun locks, to prevent accidental shootings and suicides, according to the release. — Renee Anderson, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026 Redeeming the code within 30 days of purchase locks it permanently to the IsThisSpam account used to activate it. — Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 13 Sep. 2026 Panama is normally so rainy that the locks can function at full capacity throughout the year. — Steven Paton, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026 The crash happens at the exact same second our main couple locks eyes, right over Gordon’s shoulder, plainly shown through the floor-to-ceiling window. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2026 Google locks in nuclear power Google is a key partner in the restart. — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026 Resembling an iPad, the Home Hub is rumored to work with Apple HomeKit-compatible lights, thermostats, locks, security camera systems and speakers. — Samantha Neely, Freep.com, 9 Sep. 2026 Gibbs points out that many interior privacy locks have a small, emergency-release hole on the outside of the lock or handle. — Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 9 Sep. 2026 Groups can request a maximum of $250,000 each for physical security measures at their facilities like lighting, locks, alarms, panic buttons, fencing, shatter-resistant glass and public address systems. — Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 8 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for locks
  1. latches
  2. wraps
  3. chains
  4. folds
  5. shuts
  6. twines
  7. fastens
  8. encircles
Verb
  • Both the containers and lids are made from glass, and the lids are sealed with food-safe silicone that latches into place on both sides for an airtight design without leaks.
    — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 18 July 2026
  • Cici in the Sky also recommends Sabre’s portable door lock, which latches onto the strike plate to reinforce the existing lock.
    — Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 26 June 2026
Definition of latches
Verb
  • In addition to the thong sandal straps on the vamp, the shoes also feature a slim slingback strap that wraps around the heel and is fastened by a small tonal buckle.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The tread wraps down from the shoulders, covering nearly a third of the sidewall.
    — Michael Febbo, The Drive, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of wraps
Verb
  • Restaurant chains Chipotle and QDOBA pulled jalapeños last week.
    — Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
  • To address this, Ivo uses a multi-step pipeline that chains together more than 400 model calls for each contract review.
    — Charlie Fink, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Definition of chains
Verb
  • Nolan folds all of that into a hugely entertaining superhero movie without turning it into a lecture.
    — Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • It's got a metal frame, glass front and rear surfaces, a hinge that folds 180 degrees, and a large screen hiding within.
    — Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of folds
Verb
  • There’s a brief pause, and then my phone goes haywire, inundated with Bluetooth signal spam — new Airpods connections, contact requests, an avalanche of popups that make my phone basically unusable until Hedge shuts it off.
    — Jack Crosbie, Rolling Stone, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Both failures are expensive in flood response, since a miss floods a warehouse and a false alarm shuts one down for no reason.
    — Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of shuts
Verb
  • Even so, the Tower of Dimon, sitting at the intersection of finance and real estate, twines itself literally through the physical city, from the train tunnels below to the sidewalk and up to the skyline — and through its urban culture, too.
    — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 12 Nov. 2025
Definition of twines
Verb
  • Unique to the mid-top is a metal hook that fastens its collar strap, replacing the plastic hook traditionally seen on the Air Force 1 Mid.
    — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 16 Aug. 2026
  • My favorite detail is the red ribbon on Giovanna’s right shoulder, which fastens her sleeve to her dress and floats over the darkness.
    — Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Definition of fastens
Verb
  • In May, the Georgia Department of Transportation closed a major section of the road, which encircles the city of Atlanta and connects much of the greater metro area, sending both intra- and interstate traffic through the city.
    — Irene Wright, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The paint color that encircles the wallpaper is important, but Chloe Redmond Warner says the bread should be the least exciting part of this sandwich.
    — Kelsey Mulvey, Vogue, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of encircles

Browse Nearby Words

lockouts
locks
locks horns
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Cite this Entry

“Locks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/locks. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.

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