STICKING Synonyms: 174 Similar and Opposite Words

sticking

verb

present participle of stick

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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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

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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 sticking Two days after the incident, a developer told the Wall Street Journal that the days of high-wire stunts—like pulling out cores and sticking extra floors on the roof—might belong to the past. — D. T. Max, New Yorker, 11 July 2026 Perrineau is weary, if not quite as wrecked as the car sticking halfway out of the far wall. — Josh Wigler, HollywoodReporter, 6 July 2026 The banana leaf acts as a protective barrier, preventing the salmon from sticking or drying out during the slow roast. — Staff, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026 But sticking your head in the sand is not much of a long-term strategy. — Wes Marshall, The Conversation, 2 July 2026 Generously brush vegetables with olive oil or melted butter before grilling to prevent sticking. — Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 June 2026 Working with 5 to 6 pieces at a time, remove fish from batter, allowing excess to drip back into bowl, and add to hot oil, briefly dragging fish along surface of oil to prevent sticking. — ABC News, 29 June 2026 Many Venezuelan news reports have avoided politically delicate questions related to the earthquake, such as the widespread collapse of buildings, sticking instead to safer stories about heroic rescues. — Juan Pablo Arraez, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026 Parisians have taken to sticking aluminum foil to their windows to reflect sunlight, rolling down their window shutters and living in utter darkness, and forgoing any meals that require turning on the stove or oven. — Jessica Roy, Curbed, 29 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sticking

Verb

Unlike in Cutud, participants are mostly female faith healers adhering not to vows but to mystic trances and possession.

— H.M.A. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 10 July 2026
Decorating rules can be helpful guidelines, but adhering too strictly to conventional wisdom can seriously cramp your style.

— Kristin Hohenadel, The Spruce, 23 June 2026

Definition of adhering

Verb

The exhibition game comes during both teams’ regular-season schedules, putting both clubs in midseason form.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 14 July 2026
The Giants drafted Rutgers outfielder Peyton Bonds in the third round of the amateur draft on Saturday, putting him with the same franchise where uncle Barry Bonds and grandfather Bobby Bonds both starred for years.

— CBS News, CBS News, 13 July 2026

Definition of putting

Verb

Planning a Broadway show night in New York City means squeezing a full day into the blocks around Times Square, and the right pre-Broadway show itinerary can turn a two-hour ticket into a memorable outing.

— Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 13 July 2026
The result is a new generation of patients planning trips around treatments rather than squeezing appointments into an existing vacation.

— Meggen Harris, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026

Definition of squeezing

Verb

Jarvis also turned a crucial 6-3 double play in the bottom of the seventh inning with the Braves clinging to a one-run lead after having been ahead by four earlier.

— Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 9 July 2026
Holden’s clinging to purity isn’t only about wanting to turn back time, though.

— Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026

Definition of clinging

Verb

Last year, the company posted a lengthy apology for a series of violent and antisemitic posts from Grok, placing the blame on a system update.

— Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
Derek Downey, an expert in pool failure analysis who frequently testifies as an expert witness in construction defect lawsuits, recommends placing a separate material, such as tile and grout, between pool sections.

— Maura Judkis, Washington Post, 16 July 2026

Definition of placing

Verb

The process of picking kids began in January, when FIFA player escort program sponsor Quaker — as in the oats — worked with a nationwide soccer organization named Common Goal.

— Delia Rose Sauer, Miami Herald, 11 July 2026
The betting pick is for Saint Denis to win via decision, but there is value in picking Pimblett to win via submission.

— Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of picking

Verb

That rings especially true in the garden, where hands have dug through the earth for centuries, harvesting vegetables and plucking beautiful blossoms.

— Shagun Khare, Martha Stewart, 7 July 2026
There is no longer much question as to whether Platner is suitable for public office, and even less question as to whether plucking him from political obscurity made any sense.

— Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 6 July 2026