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
Relevance
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
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 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
-
Avedian said that the issue is not just about people stealing identities or social security numbers; the danger to the consumer is much greater.—
Amy Corral,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
-
At the moment, however, AI is merely stealing from us all.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
After arresting the man, the complaint says police found a black iPhone tucked between the driver's seat and the center console in his car.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
-
The movie fumbles the chance to do something arresting with this seminal period in art.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Security footage showed a black vehicle plowing through and swiping the vehicle next to it.—
Julia Avant,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
The driver who picked up the goods told FT that grabbing items in the location takes roughly five minutes, while the same trip to a Walmart Supercenter store could take 25 minutes.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
15 May 2026
-
The Limitless Lash Mascara is especially worth grabbing while it’s marked down.—
Jeaneen Russell,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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 18 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
