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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nicked
Milos Kerkez had been hesitant minutes earlier when Burnley nicked possession deep in Liverpool territory.
—
Andy Jones, New York Times, 17 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
To my ear, Oasis nicked at least as much from bands such as Faces and The Kinks and many of its contemporaries.
—Jesse Adams, The Washington Examiner, 19 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
Andy Jones, New York Times, 17 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
To my ear, Oasis nicked at least as much from bands such as Faces and The Kinks and many of its contemporaries.
—Jesse Adams, The Washington Examiner, 19 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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The sentencing follows a year in which mostly Chinese scammers stole a record $17 billion from regular people.—
Carlos Garcia,
Fortune,
28 Jan. 2026
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What settler stole this sacred land and is now charging me for these healing waters?—
Gaby Iori
January 27,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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State data show that in 2022, police arrested 1,577 repeat violent offenders.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
25 Jan. 2026
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Luis Martinez Agramonte, 25, of Dorchester, faces multiple firearm and drug possession and distribution charges after Boston Police Department officers arrested him Friday morning.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Sophomore forward Billy Richmond III swiped the ball away from sophomore guard Christian Anderson, tumbled to the floor and passed ahead to Acuff, who completed a three-point play after he was fouled by Lejuan Watts on the layup.—
Matt Byrne,
Arkansas Online,
13 Dec. 2025
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At the end of last week’s episode, the ladies’ investigation reached a real breakthrough when Julian swiped a cache of information related to Jacobson-Moore’s Australia retreat.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
12 Dec. 2025
Verb
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How populists named what the centre wouldn't Marine Le Pen seized on the contradiction immediately.—
Güney Yıldız,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
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During the search, authorities seized two rifles, two shotguns and one handgun, along with ammunition, prosecutors said.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Jalen Duran scored 20 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, Daniss Jenkins added 17 points and the Detroit Pistons never trailed while cruising to their fourth straight victory, 112-104 over the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
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The Cougars grabbed a 25-5 lead in the first 10 minutes and kept a safe distance throughout.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In all, eight suspects were apprehended, ranging in age from 17 to 24, from Inglewood, Compton and Los Angeles.—
Ryanne Mena,
Oc Register,
24 Jan. 2026
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Officers have apprehended more than 3,000 undocumented immigrants in Minneapolis over the last six weeks alone, DHS said.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nicked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nicked. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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