NICKS Synonyms: 168 Similar and Opposite Words

nicks 1 of 2

noun

Definition of nicks next

plural of nick

as in chips

a V-shaped cut usually on an edge or a surface I made a nick in the frame when I accidentally dropped it

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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

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outsides

nicks

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of nick, British slang

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

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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

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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 nicks

Noun

Minimal nicks can typically be removed by sharpening the blades, but serious damage may necessitate a blade replacement. —

Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2026 Built with lasting quality, it’s made to stand the test of time, while the distressed finish helps disguise everyday dings and nicks. —

Jacquelyn McGilvray, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026 If your sponge has tears or nicks, that’s an automatic toss. —

Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2026 Smooth Dents and Remove Stains from Wood Wooden floors and tables can be extremely prone to dents, nicks, and stains, but an iron can be a surprisingly effective way to clear off water stains and smooth out dents. —

Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 23 Apr. 2026 Up and down rosters everywhere, nicks, bruises, tears, strains and sprains continue wreaking havoc on our fantasy rosters. —

John Laghezza, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026 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 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 Soothing oils like shea, sweet almond, and jojoba intensely soften the skin, preventing nicks, with aloe and vitamin E stepping in to calm things down post-shave. —

Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025

Verb

That means a ball that nicks a sliver of the plate at the front and then dives into the dirt will not be called a strike by ABS. —

Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Mar. 2026 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

Beijing also seeks access to top-end chips made by American manufacturers.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
Another task involved answering elementary school questions with a giant pencil, and the final showdown was over a Plinko-esque game with specialized chips.

— Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 May 2026