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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Masked suspects were caught on surveillance cameras leaping over display cases at The Card Lab in Brentwood on Saturday night and stealing $15,000 worth of Pokémon cards in under 40 seconds, police said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 June 2026
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Last Friday, three men who were convicted of stealing priceless golden artifacts from the Drents Museum in Assen, the Netherlands were sentenced to serve 47 months apiece in prison.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Goldman later cited a Manhattan federal district judge's late May ruling preventing ICE from arresting people attending immigration court during routine, mandatory check-ins.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
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But the most arresting moments on Almost Waking come when Fratti opens her mouth.—
Jayson Greene,
Pitchfork,
2 June 2026
Verb
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A lot else can happen when a man is going 978 games in a row without swiping any bases.—
Jayson Stark,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
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The outer display is a fluid experience, from tapping the lower-right corner of the screen to access notifications to swiping to open panels like my calendar, local weather, games, and apps.—
Kimberly Gedeon,
PC Magazine,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Syrian authorities regularly boast of seizing weapons headed for Lebanon.—
Mick Krever,
CNN Money,
6 June 2026
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Still, seizing ships doesn’t seem like a very effective way to fill the Treasury’s coffers, and embracing freebooting carries risks besides financial ones.—
David A. Graham,
The Atlantic,
4 June 2026
Verb
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The best know how to play through grabbing or shoving of various degrees.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
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Wembanyama finished Game 6 with 28 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.—
Devon Henderson,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Verb
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The Nodaway County Sheriff’s Office, United States Marshals Service and New Mexico State Police assisted in apprehending Jones, Hann said.—
Caroline Zimmerman
May 28,
Kansas City Star,
28 May 2026
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Federal immigration agents fanned across the city, apprehending workers at car washes, garment businesses, Home Depots and other locations.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nicking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nicking. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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