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
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
Katie Akin, Southern Living, 21 Sep. 2025
The non-slip silicone is easy to hold and helps prevent accidental nicks.
—Melody Kazel, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 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
Noun
Maybe the stain or paint has started coming off or your movers added some complimentary nicks and dings?
—Katie Akin, Southern Living, 21 Sep. 2025
The non-slip silicone is easy to hold and helps prevent accidental nicks.
—Melody Kazel, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nicks
Noun
-
Mound a layer of organic mulch, such as wood chips, compost, or shredded leaves, around the base of the plant.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
30 Sep. 2025
-
And the question of any kind of [chips] localization in Saudi Arabia … hasn’t knocked on our doors yet.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Juan Pappier, the deputy Americas director at Human Rights Watch, says that currently there are 89 foreign nationals imprisoned in Venezuelan jails, from countries that include Colombia, Spain, Argentina, France and the Czech Republic.—
Manuel Rueda,
NPR,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Israel is also set to release Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails, as part of the truce and in return for hostages.—
Laura Kelly,
The Hill,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Carol steals him away first and is so awkward and confused as to how to flirt.—
Ali Barthwell,
Vulture,
2 Oct. 2025
-
But as in most of his roles since The Departed and The Fighter, Wahlberg shows little charisma, particularly when he’s flanked by an actor with the irreverent verve of LaKeith Stanfield, who steals every scene without even breaking a sweat.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Thompson's crime policies led to more state prisons The tough-on-crime laws Thompson signed forced the construction of a record number of prisons and led to Wisconsin having 21,000 inmates during his tenure — three times as many as neighboring, smaller Minnesota, at the time.—
Molly Beck,
jsonline.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Lawson also suggested ending the practice of full-contact visitation, which results in drugs getting into prisons.—
Vivian Jones,
Nashville Tennessean,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Wednesday swipes Enid’s driver’s-ed consent form to sneak off to visit Tyler at Willow Hill Psychiatric Hospital.—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Against her will, Fadia becomes trapped in an asylum while her cousin seizes her inheritance, depriving her of even her right to grieve.—
Jenny S. Li,
Variety,
21 Sep. 2025
-
Amelia Mitcham seizes opportunity to help her neighborhood A local investor has renovated a former tavern in Milwaukee's Merrill Park neighborhood.—
Tom Daykin,
jsonline.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
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
Verb
-
When virtual particle pairs pop into existence at the edge of black holes, sometimes the black hole’s gravity grabs one partner while the other escapes.—
Dipangkar Dutta,
The Conversation,
3 Oct. 2025
-
When Catalina goes into the kitchen to refill her calabash, Frances grabs the box of Thompson paperbacks and makes a run for Ray at the restaurant.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nicks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nicks. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share