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

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

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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nicks

Noun

As more advanced chips enable larger training runs, making models more capable, the scaling laws are likely to reassert themselves.

— Jared Cohen, Time, 18 Feb. 2026
Customers can pick three tacos with chicken, beef, seafood or veggie fillings; an appetizer of chips and dip, chicharrones or corn with bone marrow butter; and for dessert, tres leches cake or churros with chocolate sauce.

— Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 18 Feb. 2026