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
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 11 Mar. 2026
The star ingredient, agave extract, locks in moisture and tames frizz, while wheat protein and sweet almond oil help soften your strands.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2026
In fact, only best actress and director seem like locks heading into Oscar night.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
As for beauty, Cher styled her signature black locks down and natural with a middle part.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 10 Mar. 2026
The loss locks in the longest losing streak at USC in over a decade, as well as the longest losing streak of Musselman’s tenure as a college coach.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen careens across the gravel after the rear of his car locks up during Qualifying for the first race of the season.
—Brad Spurgeon, Robb Report, 9 Mar. 2026
Mayer’s last three games came at home as part of the same unit as Trevor Story, Caleb Durbin and Willson Contreras, all of whom are locks to start.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 7 Mar. 2026
Inside the bags are built-in pockets and packing cubes to make packing even easier, while the outside of the bags features TSA locks, charging ports, and a comfort grip handle.
—Kristy Alpert, Travel + Leisure, 3 Mar. 2026
Noun
Changing your locks is pragmatic, not paranoid.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 11 Mar. 2026
The star ingredient, agave extract, locks in moisture and tames frizz, while wheat protein and sweet almond oil help soften your strands.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2026
In fact, only best actress and director seem like locks heading into Oscar night.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
As for beauty, Cher styled her signature black locks down and natural with a middle part.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 10 Mar. 2026
The loss locks in the longest losing streak at USC in over a decade, as well as the longest losing streak of Musselman’s tenure as a college coach.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen careens across the gravel after the rear of his car locks up during Qualifying for the first race of the season.
—Brad Spurgeon, Robb Report, 9 Mar. 2026
Mayer’s last three games came at home as part of the same unit as Trevor Story, Caleb Durbin and Willson Contreras, all of whom are locks to start.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 7 Mar. 2026
Inside the bags are built-in pockets and packing cubes to make packing even easier, while the outside of the bags features TSA locks, charging ports, and a comfort grip handle.
—Kristy Alpert, Travel + Leisure, 3 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for locks
Verb
-
My brain latches onto the process of production so well.—
Nicole Fell,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Feb. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
In another scene, Pidgeon wraps herself in a robe while smoking a cigarette in the hotel’s bathtub.—
Payton Turkeltaub,
Variety,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Sheeran, meanwhile, wraps his Australian Loop Tour tonight at the Adelaide Oval.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
5 Mar. 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
-
The battery compartment has a latch that folds up to unscrew it when the battery needs changing but otherwise keeps it flat and out of the way during observation.—
Matt Morris,
Space.com,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Article’s Nordby took the top spot in our list of the finest sofa beds for its attractive price point and easily convertible frame that folds out into a full-size pullout bed.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The chaos that has gripped the oil market looks set to deepen, with more production getting cut as the war in Iran effectively shuts the Strait of Hormuz, and the US considers widening its range of targets in the country.—
Yongchang Chin,
Fortune,
8 Mar. 2026
-
America needs more social workers — and a pathway into the profession that expands opportunity, not one that shuts people out.—
David Kilmnick,
New York Daily News,
21 Feb. 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
-
Instead, a bright ring of sunlight encircles the moon's silhouette, often called a 'ring of fire'.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
20 Feb. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Locks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/locks. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
