1
as in stole
to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep
that lorry was a piece of rubbish, I don't know why anyone would want to nick it
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in arrested
to take or keep under one's control by authority of law
a petty thief who was always getting nicked for picking the pockets of tourists outside Buckingham Palace
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of nicked
Conor Gallagher nicked the ball and burst down the right.
—
Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
Morning glory and sweet pea seeds, for example, germinate best when nicked with a nail clipper, just enough to break the seed coat so moisture can enter more easily.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Jan. 2026
So as of now, when the Hornets suit up for games on consecutive nights, that doesn’t mean their top two players who were nicked up during the season’s initial month won’t be in uniform and available.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 29 Nov. 2025
Atlanta returns from its bye week still nicked up in the secondary, with cornerback Clark Phillips out with a triceps injury, while safety Billy Bowman (knee) and corner Natrone Brooks (concussion) are questionable.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
The 130-grain bullet had nicked brush.
—Robert Merchant, Outdoor Life, 1 Oct. 2025
An autopsy revealed Murray died from a single gunshot wound to the right upper back that nicked the right lung and exited the right upper clavicle.
—Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 24 Sep. 2025
His dad nicked him on the back of the leg with the chain saw.
—John J. Lennon, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2025
But Treinen snuffed out the rally by whiffing Adames looking at a full-count 96 mph sinker that nicked the outside corner and Matt Chapman swinging at an 85 mph sweeper that was way outside.
—Mike Digiovanna, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
Morning glory and sweet pea seeds, for example, germinate best when nicked with a nail clipper, just enough to break the seed coat so moisture can enter more easily.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Jan. 2026
So as of now, when the Hornets suit up for games on consecutive nights, that doesn’t mean their top two players who were nicked up during the season’s initial month won’t be in uniform and available.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 29 Nov. 2025
Atlanta returns from its bye week still nicked up in the secondary, with cornerback Clark Phillips out with a triceps injury, while safety Billy Bowman (knee) and corner Natrone Brooks (concussion) are questionable.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
The 130-grain bullet had nicked brush.
—Robert Merchant, Outdoor Life, 1 Oct. 2025
An autopsy revealed Murray died from a single gunshot wound to the right upper back that nicked the right lung and exited the right upper clavicle.
—Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 24 Sep. 2025
His dad nicked him on the back of the leg with the chain saw.
—John J. Lennon, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2025
But Treinen snuffed out the rally by whiffing Adames looking at a full-count 96 mph sinker that nicked the outside corner and Matt Chapman swinging at an 85 mph sweeper that was way outside.
—Mike Digiovanna, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nicked
Verb
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Thieves stole $40,000 worth of handmade puppets, props and merchandise from outside a Hollywood Hills home.—
Alex Wigglesworth,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
On March 18, 1990, two men posing as police officers stole 13 artworks valued at over $500 million from the museum in what is considered the largest unsolved art heist in modern history.—
Joe Dwinell,
Boston Herald,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The men ran into an apartment and eventually were arrested.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
-
As the situation remains fraught in Iran, and with several opposition politicians arrested just this week, Vogue speaks to three Iranian designers on why their home country needs our support right now.—
Emily Chan,
Vogue,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The traditional eyeliner was eschewed—a chunky black kajal swiped across the lid on one eye, then on the lower lash line on the other.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
15 Feb. 2026
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Brazilian ski racer Lucas Pinheiro Braathen swiped away the competition with a powerful final run in the Olympic giant slalom on Saturday, winning gold and earning South America's first-ever medal at a Winter Games.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Authorities have seized more than €957,000 in cash, including €67,000 in foreign currency.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
13 Feb. 2026
-
While Japan has seized fishing vessels from South Korea and Taiwan in recent years, the incident is the first involving a vessel from China since 2022 and comes against the backdrop of a major diplomatic dispute between the countries.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Doncic turned to run back up the court and grabbed the back of his left leg.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
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Jarrett Allen scored 10 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, Dennis Schroder added 11 points in his Cavaliers debut and Keon Ellis had 6 points in his first game with the Cavaliers, who won for the seventh time in eight games.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Officers apprehended three suspects.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
14 Feb. 2026
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Alexis was allegedly found with a BB gun when he was apprehended, according to McKay.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
12 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nicked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nicked. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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