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
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Recent Examples of locks
Tim Reynolds, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Feb. 2026
Zendaya looked so different with shoulder-grazing ginger locks that were styled in curly pigtails with a middle part.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 17 Feb. 2026
To remedy this, Matkom said Gorman and Company has earmarked funds in its annual budget to upgrade locks in the entryways at Fifth Street School.
—Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Paltrow paired the see-through look with blush heels, with her blonde locks pulled back to showcase her diamond-drop earrings.
—Sarah Sotoodeh , Stephanie Giang-Paunon , Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 15 Feb. 2026
On Pont-Neuf, wherever all the locks are.
—Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Feb. 2026
That means lighting, locks, motion detectors, cameras and, yes, even a dog.
—Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
Loss locks each of us in our own tower.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2026
Alarms for doors and windows, smart locks or wearables that detect movement are other options that boost safety and can connect to the caregiver's smartphones.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 12 Feb. 2026
Noun
Plenty of other teams — the Thunder, Boston, New York, San Antonio, Denver, Houston, Cleveland — are probably safe to call playoff locks at this point as well.
—Tim Reynolds, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Feb. 2026
Zendaya looked so different with shoulder-grazing ginger locks that were styled in curly pigtails with a middle part.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 17 Feb. 2026
To remedy this, Matkom said Gorman and Company has earmarked funds in its annual budget to upgrade locks in the entryways at Fifth Street School.
—Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Paltrow paired the see-through look with blush heels, with her blonde locks pulled back to showcase her diamond-drop earrings.
—Sarah Sotoodeh , Stephanie Giang-Paunon , Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 15 Feb. 2026
On Pont-Neuf, wherever all the locks are.
—Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Feb. 2026
That means lighting, locks, motion detectors, cameras and, yes, even a dog.
—Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
Loss locks each of us in our own tower.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2026
Alarms for doors and windows, smart locks or wearables that detect movement are other options that boost safety and can connect to the caregiver's smartphones.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 12 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for locks
Verb
-
The robotic submarine latches onto the hull of friendly ships or submarines, conserving energy while traveling hundreds or thousands of miles to distant mission areas.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Typically said when someone copies a trend, latches onto a friend's obsession, or just teases in a playful way.—
Annabelle Canela,
Parents,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Each year, about178,000 Americans die from excessive alcohol use, a number that wraps in binge drinking.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
11 Feb. 2026
-
In the new portrait, Benjamin appears slightly taller than his dad, who wraps his arms around his two children and leans his head on his son's shoulder.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Tokyo Central is owned by Japanese company Pan Pacific Retail Management, which also runs the grocery chains Gelson’s and Don Quijote.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
3 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Precise placement is possible using DNA origami, which folds DNA into nanoscale shapes to guide molecules into position.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Once the tent is deflated, the owner folds the floor back inside and closes the roof.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Linden waves, and the door shuts behind her.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
4 Feb. 2026
-
For each component, Rosenberg provides examples of language that supports connection and language that shuts it down.—
Jasna Hodžić,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
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
Verb
-
Aquazzura’s signature swirling ankle strap curves upward from the sides of the shoe and fastens the 105mm heel with a slim buckle.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
16 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The trail encircles a large, ADA-accessible playground and also provides views of the South Bend skyline.—
Erika Ebsworth-Goold,
Midwest Living,
4 Jan. 2026
-
Many travelers choose to explore the area via the Ring of Kerry, the scenic drive that encircles the peninsula.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Locks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/locks. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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