1
2
as in jails
British slang
a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody
the blokes at the pub traded stories of nights spent in the nick after having lifted too many pints
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in steals
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in arrests
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
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Recent Examples of nicks
Kate Perez, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
This dulls blades much faster and can also cause scratches and nicks.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2026
His hard hat bears months of nicks and scrapes, testament to the massive transformation underway in the 25,000-square-foot former food court at the Shops at Rivercenter mall in downtown San Antonio.
—Paul Stephen, San Antonio Express-News, 21 Jan. 2026
No nicks or bruises or paper cuts from flipping through his playbook.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
This waterproof trimmer is ergonomic, rechargeable, and built with SkinSafe blades that help reduce nicks.
—Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 22 Nov. 2025
With five blades sandwiched between two moisturizing bars, this razor speeds up the entire process (no fussing around with shaving cream), nourishing dry skin and making nicks a rare occurrence.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
The six-time All-Star is widely known for being injury-prone, so the Warriors can probably expect Butler to miss some time due to some nicks and bruises next season, at the very least.
—Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Aug. 2025
Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 24 Feb. 2026
In the book, the protagonist Jonathan Harker nicks himself with a razor and senses Dracula’s rapt attention.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 20 Oct. 2025
If the surgeon accidently nicks a vein or cuts through a tumor in a way that causes a leakage of cancerous cells, the recovery mode is to undock the robot rapidly, cut the patient open, and fix the problem the old-fashioned way.
—IEEE Spectrum, 5 July 2022
Noun
Edges at the perimeter of the card are observed to see if there are any nicks or marks on the back or front.
—Kate Perez, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
This dulls blades much faster and can also cause scratches and nicks.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2026
His hard hat bears months of nicks and scrapes, testament to the massive transformation underway in the 25,000-square-foot former food court at the Shops at Rivercenter mall in downtown San Antonio.
—Paul Stephen, San Antonio Express-News, 21 Jan. 2026
No nicks or bruises or paper cuts from flipping through his playbook.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
This waterproof trimmer is ergonomic, rechargeable, and built with SkinSafe blades that help reduce nicks.
—Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 22 Nov. 2025
With five blades sandwiched between two moisturizing bars, this razor speeds up the entire process (no fussing around with shaving cream), nourishing dry skin and making nicks a rare occurrence.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
The six-time All-Star is widely known for being injury-prone, so the Warriors can probably expect Butler to miss some time due to some nicks and bruises next season, at the very least.
—Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Aug. 2025
Verb
Mora strikesout swinging, and Qualia gets Carson on a breaking ball that nicks the corner of the zone.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 24 Feb. 2026
In the book, the protagonist Jonathan Harker nicks himself with a razor and senses Dracula’s rapt attention.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 20 Oct. 2025
If the surgeon accidently nicks a vein or cuts through a tumor in a way that causes a leakage of cancerous cells, the recovery mode is to undock the robot rapidly, cut the patient open, and fix the problem the old-fashioned way.
—IEEE Spectrum, 5 July 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nicks
Noun
-
The researchers also say the laser could benefit industries that depend on nanoelectronics, including semiconductor manufacturing, by helping engineers detect extremely small defects in chips.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Pair modest, time‑bound duties with strong incentives for domestic components in EVs, batteries, chips, and industrial equipment.—
Paul S. Lavoie,
Hartford Courant,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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At the time, County Commission Chair Anthony Rodriguez was giving unusual instructions to the audience members, many of whom were there to criticize the agreement, which added a compensation stipend to an existing cooperation deal between Miami-Dade jails and ICE.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The Dallas County and Harris County jails are larger.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Drafted by Miami with the fifth overall pick in 2003, Wade is the Heat’s all-time leader in categories like points, games played, minutes played, assists and steals and is considered one of the top shooting guards in NBA history.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
12 Mar. 2026
-
When a ruthless despot steals a billion-dollar fortune, the team is sent to steal it back on what would be for anyone else a suicide mission.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Department of Damage Control arrests Trevor.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The sheer scale of an estate for sale in San Francisco’s tony Pacific Heights neighborhood — a residence spanning 26,000 square feet, or the equivalent of 10 average homes — arrests the imagination.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the announcement, while human-rights groups accused the military of ignoring one of the gravest instances of abuse in the country's network of wartime prisons.—
JULIA FRANKEL THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
13 Mar. 2026
-
That contract lapsed after then-President Joe Biden issued an executive order barring the Department of Justice from contracting with private prisons.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Proponents said the change will help businesses better absorb the transaction fees that credit card companies are allowed to charge each time someone swipes their credit card.—
Barbara Hoberock,
Oklahoman,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Continue reading … DARING DASH – Sneaky feline swipes a free snack — and it's caught on video.—
,
FOXNews.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Continue reading … MARITIME VICTORY — Coast Guard seizes 22,000 pounds of cocaine in largest bust in 18 years.—
,
FOXNews.com,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Unfortunately, though, she’s still possessed by the spirit of Mary Shelley, whose voice seizes her body with tiresome frequency.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The wave of prison violence is happening despite the deployment of military and police forces in several penitentiaries.—
Michael Rios,
CNN Money,
8 Dec. 2025
-
After his conviction, Gray was sent to Angola, one of the most violent penitentiaries in the country at the time.—
Richard A. Webster,
ProPublica,
25 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nicks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nicks. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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