1
as in adhering
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 putting
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 stabbing
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 squeezing
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
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 sticking
So the Patriots as an organization have to realize this scarlet letter is sticking right now.
—
Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2026
Their thinking was that numerous landing attempts would allow companies to wring out their technology and improve their chances of sticking the next landing.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 6 May 2026
It is made of durable cast iron but features a smooth enamel interior that keeps food from sticking.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
Alisoun has previously tricked Absalom into kissing her butt by sticking it out the window just as Absalom leaned in, intent on kissing her other cheek.
—Literary Hub, 4 May 2026
And now here is Suzuki, scoring the opening goal of Game 7 and sticking a leg out to block a Nikita Kucherov shot with four seconds left that sealed this win.
—Arpon Basu, New York Times, 4 May 2026
That seasonal rhythm has a way of sticking in our minds.
—Bydoug Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 May 2026
Princess Charlotte got cheeky at her parents' charity sailing race in August 2019, sticking her tongue out at her grandfather Michael Middleton (and the entire crowd in the process)!
—Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
Delane anticipates receiver Vandrevius Jacobs’ 5-yard comeback and utilizes the sideline as an extra defender, staying on his hip the entire time before eventually sticking his hand in to break up the pass.
—Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2026
Their thinking was that numerous landing attempts would allow companies to wring out their technology and improve their chances of sticking the next landing.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 6 May 2026
It is made of durable cast iron but features a smooth enamel interior that keeps food from sticking.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
Alisoun has previously tricked Absalom into kissing her butt by sticking it out the window just as Absalom leaned in, intent on kissing her other cheek.
—Literary Hub, 4 May 2026
And now here is Suzuki, scoring the opening goal of Game 7 and sticking a leg out to block a Nikita Kucherov shot with four seconds left that sealed this win.
—Arpon Basu, New York Times, 4 May 2026
That seasonal rhythm has a way of sticking in our minds.
—Bydoug Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 May 2026
Princess Charlotte got cheeky at her parents' charity sailing race in August 2019, sticking her tongue out at her grandfather Michael Middleton (and the entire crowd in the process)!
—Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
Delane anticipates receiver Vandrevius Jacobs’ 5-yard comeback and utilizes the sideline as an extra defender, staying on his hip the entire time before eventually sticking his hand in to break up the pass.
—Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sticking
Verb
-
That rules out Virginia shifting its map to better favor Democrats in the upcoming midterms, Green said, but doesn’t bar them from starting the process over, adhering more closely to the rules, and changing the lines for future races.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
-
Harding’s caucus often has chastised Democrats for not adhering strictly to state budget limitations.—
Keith M. Phaneuf,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Certain federal debts can result in a portion of your Social Security check being garnished, ultimately putting your financial stability at risk in retirement.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
-
Louisa, all the producers and the writers are putting little inklings that are showing these sprinkles of just who John Tucker is that are going to snowball into things.—
Nicole Fell,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Authorities were hunting for three days for the suspect after a gruesome late-night stabbing murder on Sunday in a laundry room in the Nordheim Court apartments.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
-
An Alhambra man faces a possible 24-year prison sentence for fatally stabbing a 17-year-old boy waiting for his mother and for trying to kill a man, both in El Sereno, three years ago.—
Ruby Gonzales,
Daily News,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
While progressive Democrats are pushing to tax billionaires and close corporate loopholes, Republicans are warning that squeezing job creators will severely damage Illinois’ economy.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
-
Higher fuel costs are leading to inflation and squeezing household budgets, while industries from manufacturing to transport are facing rising operating costs and supply disruptions.—
Julhas Alam,
Fortune,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Many Democrats, spooked by the prospect of their party being frozen out in June’s top-two primary, have been clinging to their ballots, intending to vote at the last moment for whichever Democrat appears likeliest to finish first.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
-
Staff members noticed immediately the two dogs clinging to each other.—
Kelsey Monstrola,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Ventilate Crawl Spaces Reduce moisture and humidity in crawl spaces by placing moisture barriers over the soil and adding vents.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
14 May 2026
-
At the same time, reductions in federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits are expected to increase food insecurity among older adults, placing even more pressure on already strained systems.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
This is as important, and as boring, in theory, as picking a fund for your 401(k), yet, improbably, the draft has become one of the largest events on the sporting calendar.—
Dan Greene,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
So picking the right actors was very important for me.—
Joshua Rothkopf,
Los Angeles Times,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
The Lightning historically have done a tremendous job plucking NHL talent from the middle rounds of the draft.—
Eduardo Encina,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 May 2026
-
Which is why Hailey Bieber’s bright white, electric G-Wagon is parked just feet away from the office bullpen, where 20-something staffers of the full-service production company are plucking away at their computers.—
Lucy Feldman,
Time,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sticking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sticking. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
