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

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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

Related Words
2
as in clam

Related Words

Dissimilar Words
3
as in beam

Related Words
4
as in stab

Related 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
Appleton finished it with a bang stick. —Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2025 These are peel-and-stick films that block solar heat gain, creating more comfortable interiors while reducing reliance on air conditioning. —Nia Bowers, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
And that has stuck pretty much ever since. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025 As Prater raises his weapon to fire at Dexter, Harrison sticks the syringe deep inside his chest. —Nick Caruso, TVLine, 5 Sep. 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
  • Dredge in the breadcrumbs, pressing lightly to adhere.
    — Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2025
  • To adhere it onto the overflow drain, run warm water against the suction cup side and press it firmly against the tub.
    — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Aug. 2025
Definition of adhere
Verb
  • Trailing by 14 points, Charlotte needed a touchdown to get back in the game, and as Albin said, put some heat on the Tar Heels.
    — Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 7 Sep. 2025
  • In the first inning as the Blue Jays wore down the Yankees by putting balls in play and fouling off pitches, Judge was tested for the first time on a single by Nathan Lukes.
    — Larry Fleisher, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Definition of put
Verb
  • Late last month, Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska was fatally stabbed on a train in North Carolina.
    — Charles Trepany, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Instead, 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska was stabbed to death in an unprovoked attack while riding a Charlotte, North Carolina, light rail train home from work.
    — Peter D'Abrosca , Stepheny Price , Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Definition of stab
Verb
  • The shakeups are the latest at a time when restaurants are squeezed between a labor shortage, rising food prices and a loss of customers as diners cut back on spending.
    — Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2025
  • For now, the three youngest each sleep in their own pack-and-plays squeezed into their parents’ bedroom.
    — Jeff Truesdell, People.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Definition of squeeze
Noun
  • Don't overreact to his midseason struggles due to a broken finger.
    — Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Heart-pounding, finger-tingling, grin-inducing fun.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2025
Definition of finger
Noun
  • The menu is a wonderland of seafood, from clams in white wine to seafood soup with shrimp clams and mussels.
    — Liza B. Zimmerman, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • And that may be even more satisfying than a clam appetizer.
    — Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2025
Definition of clam
Noun
  • The design leans rustic (give or take a couple of Togo chairs), with moss green paneling, tartan upholstery, and wood beams running throughout.
    — Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Its 15 rooms are each decorated with subtle nods to the inn’s colonial past—from small fireplaces to original wood beams—while still having all the modern comforts travelers have come to expect.
    — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of beam
Noun
  • And then the push into space is just a step towards securing a future for generations to come.
    — Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Hilleary was a legislative foot soldier in the House Republican push for smaller government, having captured a longtime Democratic seat in the 1994 elections.
    — David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 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 13 Sep. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on stick

Nglish: Translation of stick for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stick

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