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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nicking
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
Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nicking
Verb
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Early childhood advocates were delighted when he was sworn into office seven years ago, his arms around his scene-stealing 2-year-old son.—
CalMatters,
Oc Register,
18 Feb. 2026
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According to preliminary reports, the suspects threatened them with a firearm and held them for several minutes while stealing valuables.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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On July 17, 2014, Orta took video of then-NYPD Officer Daniel Pantaleo putting Garner in a fatal chokehold and pulling him to the ground while arresting him for selling loose cigarettes on Staten Island.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026
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That means questioning, investigating, and in some cases arresting people for civil immigration violations – authority traditionally reserved for federal officers.—
Jaclyn Diaz,
NPR,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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More and more Pennsylvanians are swiping credit cards and finding themselves in too much debt for comfort.—
Meghan Schiller,
CBS News,
14 Feb. 2026
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After over a decade of swiping for love, the initial novelty has worn off.—
Annabel Gat,
Vogue,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Federal agents recently descended on Georgia state election offices without warning, seizing equipment, records, and ballots.—
State Rep. Matt Blumenthal,
Hartford Courant,
12 Feb. 2026
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Williams also said the warrant didn't specify what the agents were supposed to be seizing.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Within a few blocks of the hotel are also many spots worthy of grabbing a tasty bite or a drink—Bamboo Sushi, Radio Room, and Walter French's, to name a few.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
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What’s particularly exciting is how many films are grabbing dates in ’27 and ’28.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Immigration enforcement efforts in Oklahoma also have focused heavily on apprehending commercial truckers driving on interstate highways.—
Nuria Martinez-Keel,
Oklahoma Voice,
10 Feb. 2026
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New England Patriots Kyle Williams tries to assist in apprehending a spectator who ran onto the field during the second quarter of Super Bowl LX.—
February 9,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nicking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nicking. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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