stick 1 of 2

verb

Definition of sticknext
1
as in to adhere
to hold to something firmly as if by adhesion those magnets are strong enough to stick to the refrigerator without any problems

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to put
to arrange something in a certain spot or position you can stick that box in the corner until I figure out where to put everything

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to stab
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object could hardly feel the needle when the nurse stuck my arm with it

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to squeeze
to rob by the use of trickery or threats she got stuck by an unscrupulous seller while using the online auction site

Synonyms & Similar Words

stick

2 of 2

noun

1
as in finger

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in clam

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in beam

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in stab

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb stick contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of stick are adhere, cleave, cling, and cohere. While all these words mean "to become closely attached," stick implies attachment by affixing or by being glued together.

couldn't get the label to stick

When would adhere be a good substitute for stick?

While in some cases nearly identical to stick, adhere is often interchangeable with stick but sometimes implies a growing together.

antibodies adhering to a virus

When is cleave a more appropriate choice than stick?

While the synonyms cleave and stick are close in meaning, cleave stresses strength of attachment.

the wet shirt cleaved to his back

In what contexts can cling take the place of stick?

The meanings of cling and stick largely overlap; however, cling implies attachment by hanging on with arms or tendrils.

clinging to a capsized boat

When might cohere be a better fit than stick?

In some situations, the words cohere and stick are roughly equivalent. However, cohere suggests a sticking together of parts so that they form a unified mass.

eggs will make the mixture cohere

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 stick
Verb
But whether the trial's May 5 start date will stick is another story. —Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025 Moving Rafaela clears room for Anthony to stick in the lineup. —Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Apr. 2025
Noun
Winner: Roku Streaming Stick Plus Design Both sticks are slim enough to pop into an HDMI port on the back of your TV with ease. —PC Magazine, 6 May 2025 One forum user claimed that plugging a Roku streaming stick into a Roku TV circumvented the problem. —Scharon Harding – May 5, ArsTechnica, 5 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for stick
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stick
  1. adhere
  2. put
  3. stab
  4. squeeze
  5. finger
  6. clam
  7. beam
  8. push
Verb
  • Drying too fast or too slow can affect how the paint adheres and compromise its longevity, resulting in premature failure.
    — Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Using clean hands, gently press down all over to adhere fillings to dough.
    — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 3 May 2025
Definition of adhere
Verb
  • The first set was tied 10 times before the Saints finally put it away 25-21 on a Pabarcus kill.
    — John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 May 2025
  • The last time Florida put a zero on the board through three periods?
    — Adam Beasley, Miami Herald, 17 May 2025
Definition of put
Verb
  • Life outside the courtroom, however, is a bit more complicated, with Nash-Betts weeping in a hospital gown and Kardashian stabbing herself with a needle in a bathroom stall.
    — Emlyn Travis Published, EW.com, 13 May 2025
  • Rapper Tory Lanez, who is serving jail time, was hospitalized after another inmate stabbed him.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2025
Definition of stab
Verb
  • Custom Container Living View 8 Images Custom Container Living has transformed a shipping container into an ultra-compact tiny house that squeezes a home for two into just 160 sq ft (14.8 sq m).
    — Adam Williams May 08, New Atlas, 8 May 2025
  • Auto dealers, squeezed by President Donald Trump’s tariffs on the industry, are already seeing a tighter supply of vehicles to offer buyers at a time when sticker prices for many models are set to climb. Pine Belt Subaru in Lakewood, New Jersey, normally receives 100 to 120 cars a month.
    — Brian Cheung, NBC news, 7 May 2025
Definition of squeeze
Noun
  • For an hour last night, Barcelona were ready to claim La Liga’s 2024-25 title without lifting another finger.
    — Phil Hay, New York Times, 15 May 2025
  • My hands wouldn’t cooperate, the pain moved from my fingers to my wrists and up to my arms.
    — Racquel H. Dozier, Health, 14 May 2025
Definition of finger
Noun
  • This algae, some of it toxic, in turn becomes a food source for shellfish species including mussels, clams, oysters and scallops.
    — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2025
  • While the clams likely reach restaurants by boat, getting to the 'fajã' on foot is a different story.
    — Emese Maczko, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
Definition of clam
Noun
  • The lights in the hall dimmed completely — and then the room lit up again as hundreds of small beams illuminated the space.
    — RoselynMartin Somtochukwu Ilo, Hartford Courant, 11 May 2025
  • On colliding with the plasma, the beam particles are re-ionized, while the collision energy heats the plasma.
    — David Szondy May 10, New Atlas, 10 May 2025
Definition of beam
Noun
  • For her first single after that triumph to only just sneak onto the Country Airplay ranking — and in last place — indicates a substantial and sustained promotional push behind the scenes.
    — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
  • His observation underscores a growing push to rebuild mid-stream capabilities on U.S. soil.
    — William Jones, USA Today, 16 May 2025
Definition of push

Phrases Containing stick

Browse Nearby Words

stews
stick
stick around
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stick. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on stick

Nglish: Translation of stick for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stick

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Homophones, Homographs, and Homonyms

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 12 Sophisticated Compliments

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Top 12 Sophisticated Compliments

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All