1
as in stealing
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 arresting
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of nicking
The replay showed the pitch nicking the outside corner, the call was overturned, Bell was out, and Shelton argued.
—
CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
If the outer coating is exceptionally hard, seeds may need even more help by nicking the seed coat before soaking.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 12 Mar. 2026
Squash Beets Beans Pumpkin Corn Chard Super hard seeds like beans will benefit from nicking the seed coat with a sandpaper block, file, or sharp knife before soaking.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Feb. 2026
CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
If the outer coating is exceptionally hard, seeds may need even more help by nicking the seed coat before soaking.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 12 Mar. 2026
Squash Beets Beans Pumpkin Corn Chard Super hard seeds like beans will benefit from nicking the seed coat with a sandpaper block, file, or sharp knife before soaking.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nicking
Verb
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The San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder are less than 24 hours removed from an instant classic in Game 1 of their Western Conference Finals matchup, with the Spurs stealing home court advantage thanks to a 122-115 double-overtime win in OKC.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
19 May 2026
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An indictment charged Paul Caneiro with stealing at least $75,000.—
Minyvonne Burke,
NBC news,
19 May 2026
Verb
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The department's robbery and homicide division is listed as the arresting agency.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
20 May 2026
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Eventually, officers were able to taser, tackle and disarm Johnson before arresting him.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
20 May 2026
Verb
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Security footage showed a black vehicle plowing through and swiping the vehicle next to it.—
Julia Avant,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
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The Spurs are up on them, swiping at the ball, trapping Edwards and funneling all action to Wembanyama.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
10 May 2026
Verb
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The laws, which her party backed in recent years, eliminated preliminary detention in certain cases and raised the threshold for seizing criminal assets.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 May 2026
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Hollander plays a vicious Irish mobster hell bent on seizing the palatial estate Reno has dedicated his life to protect after its heir runs afoul of his compatriots abroad.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
16 May 2026
Verb
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Prosecutors have theorized that after Mackenzie sped up the car, Dominic and Davion could have tried to stop the crash by grabbing the wheel or gear shift.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
22 May 2026
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Consider grabbing a set of packing cubes, which are great for packing for vacation and storing and organizing items at home.—
Paige Bennett,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 May 2026
Verb
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In the video shared exclusively with Fox News by ICE, officers are seen apprehending and arresting the Honduran national.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten , Danamarie McNicholl,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
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The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 compelled authorities in northern free states to assist in apprehending and returning those who escaped back to slavery.—
Jeremy Mennis,
The Conversation,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nicking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nicking. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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