stick 1 of 2

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

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stick

2 of 2

noun

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
The actress took home the award for best supporting actress in a comedy at the 76th annual Emmy Awards in September 2024. Boyce, who plays pastry chef Marcus, posed next to a stick of pink cotton candy that has been swirled bigger than his head. Alexandra Schonfeld, People.com, 25 June 2025 As part of the celebration, a 220-foot-tall dragon is constructed out of 12,000 sticks of incense. Taylor McIntyre, Travel + Leisure, 22 June 2025
Noun
Only a year ago, Google released AI Overviews, a search feature that told users to eat rocks and use glue to stick cheese to pizza. Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 3 June 2025 Insert sticks into the molds and freeze for at least 4 hours or overnight. Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 2 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for stick
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stick
Verb
  • Yet period style still adheres, the timbres pungent rather than plush.
    Alex Ross, New Yorker, 23 June 2025
  • Resting the shrimp before frying gives the breading the chance to adhere.
    Kia Damon, Southern Living, 2 June 2025
Verb
  • Haliburton put no weight on the leg and had his face wrapped in towels as he was taken to the Pacers’ locker room for evaluation.
    Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 23 June 2025
  • After all, the rental contract is for three weeks, and something has to be put onstage.
    Han Ong, New Yorker, 22 June 2025
Verb
  • In 2010, a kayaker in the Florida Keys had her lung punctured when a fish leapt out of the water and stabbed her in the back.
    Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 30 June 2025
  • One such fatwa was the one issued by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the previous supreme leader, against author Salman Rushdie, who was stabbed multiple times at the Chautauqua Institution in southwestern New York in 2022.
    Somayeh Malekian, ABC News, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Paul Blackburn, with plenty of starting experience for Oakland, could squeeze into the picture too – especially if the Mets decide to try a six-man rotation that would save wear and tear on each man.
    Dan Schlossberg, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
  • When pancake is ready to flip, squeeze the cinnamon mixture into a swirl shape on top of the pancake batter, pressing the tip of the bag slightly into the batter.
    Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • Cruz wasn’t the Yankees’ only injury reveal on Monday, as Boone said that Austin Wells has been undergoing tests for a circulatory issue in one of his left fingers, per The Athletic’s Chris Kirschner.
    Gary Phillips, Hartford Courant, 30 June 2025
  • In many cases, these organizations pointed fingers at external forces rather than examining their own adaptability and resilience.
    Pablo Listingart, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • The menu has something for everyone—chicken wings, Hatteras-style clam chowder, jumbo shrimp, and quarter-pound hot dogs.
    Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 16 June 2025
  • Catch a sunset over Chincoteague Bay, enjoy a nearby beach, or dig your own clams and inspect your own oysters on an interactive shellfish tour.
    Laura Kiniry, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 June 2025
Noun
  • Each lamp head can swivel 350° side-to-side and tilt 90° up or down, with beam angles that go from narrow spotlighting to wide ambient wash.
    Paul Lamkin, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • The adaptive reuse design preserves the 1907 warehouse’s original Douglas fir beams and brickwork while slashing the building’s carbon footprint.
    Leilani Marie Labong, Travel + Leisure, 29 June 2025
Noun
  • For months, Trump said he was dedicated to a diplomatic push to persuade Iran to give up its nuclear ambitions.
    Aamer Madhani, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2025
  • Advertisement The spending push is not just about addressing Trump’s complaints that the allies aren’t paying their fair share for defense.
    Adam Rasmi, Time, 20 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Stick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stick. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

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