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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sticking
As the humpback plunges back below the surface the remoras, also known as sucker fish, return to the whale, sticking their landings with the timing and precision of Olympic gymnasts.
—
CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2025
Braid my hair at the top, sticking straight up.
—Stephanie Mansfield, Vogue, 2 Nov. 2025
The coup de grâce on all this is that Blake then leaves early, sticking the ladies with the check.
—Anne Victoria Clark, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2025
Grace Tucker sticking their necks out for more taxpayer dollars.
—Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 29 Oct. 2025
Ferrari already knew that taking the F140 V-12 out of the Enzo and sticking it in a front-engine GT gave it too much power.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 28 Oct. 2025
There, passers-by may have noticed Lindsey Vonn, wearing a silver fringe dress, sticking a sign in the mud off the interstate.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 27 Oct. 2025
Delay chose to pass up free agency at that point, instead sticking it out with Triple-A Gwinnett.
—Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
And the cozy Walker's Point restaurant — plus cooking school, plus event space — has been going strong since, sticking strong to its mission to support local farmers in every season.
—Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 22 Oct. 2025
CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2025
Braid my hair at the top, sticking straight up.
—Stephanie Mansfield, Vogue, 2 Nov. 2025
The coup de grâce on all this is that Blake then leaves early, sticking the ladies with the check.
—Anne Victoria Clark, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2025
Grace Tucker sticking their necks out for more taxpayer dollars.
—Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 29 Oct. 2025
Ferrari already knew that taking the F140 V-12 out of the Enzo and sticking it in a front-engine GT gave it too much power.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 28 Oct. 2025
There, passers-by may have noticed Lindsey Vonn, wearing a silver fringe dress, sticking a sign in the mud off the interstate.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 27 Oct. 2025
Delay chose to pass up free agency at that point, instead sticking it out with Triple-A Gwinnett.
—Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
And the cozy Walker's Point restaurant — plus cooking school, plus event space — has been going strong since, sticking strong to its mission to support local farmers in every season.
—Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sticking
Verb
-
But the kitchen, overseen by Curtola along with the chef de cuisine Ben Zook, seems more interested in conjuring an authenticity of atmosphere than in adhering strictly to traditional recipes or preparations.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
21 Sep. 2025
-
After evaluating 200 hospital patients participating in the King's College London Oral, Dental, and Craniofacial Biobank, researchers found that those adhering most closely to a Mediterranean diet had the lowest levels of gum disease.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Naval build-up China has built world’s largest navy, launching high-tech warships at a frenetic pace under Xi’s leadership, putting pressure on the United States and its Pacific allies to keep up.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Even calling it a magazine is a conscious way of trying to distinguish the work producers are putting months and months of effort into recording and writing from what podcasting has become.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The trail through this passage is narrow and lined with signature desert plants — which is to say my path became a gauntlet of tiny, stabbing swords.—
Joan Meiners,
AZCentral.com,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Jared Luecke, 33, is facing murder and tampering with evidence charges and is accused of repeatedly stabbing John Luecke with a knife and hitting him with a crowbar, according to court records.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The Bagail 6-piece Compression Packing Cube Set is just $19 and a game-changer for squeezing extra outfits into a carry-on.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Nov. 2025
-
To check for ripeness, start by squeezing the fruit—ripe mangos should give slightly under pressure without feeling overly soft or mushy.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Rather, Metropolitan evokes the youthful experience of being home, avoiding family, and clinging to friends during the holiday break, when responsibility remains over the horizon and your whole life is still ahead of you.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Nov. 2025
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For pesky food bits clinging to the bottom of your pan, use coarse-ground salt to buff them off gently.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The honor marks Woods’ first appearance on the First Team, placing him among an elite group of 24 boys and girls selected for their outstanding performance throughout the season.—
Julio Cesar Valdera Morales,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Consider hand-washing or placing the most delicate black garments in a mesh washing bag to offer even more protection.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Trump did get the jitters, but responded, as The Atlantic’s Jonathan Chait noted, not by caving on health care but by ranting about the filibuster, ultimately picking a different way of doubling down.—
Jon Allsop,
New Yorker,
11 Nov. 2025
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Kellenberger pivoted, hiking north until the winter weather hit, and picking back up in March 2025.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Recipes from Valencia took me back to an afternoon lounging in the lawns near The City of Arts and Sciences, staring at orange trees, plucking pieces of rabbit from paella with my fingers, and swirling toast into olive oil.—
Jamila Robinson,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
31 Oct. 2025
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When not plucking away at a keyboard, Madison teaches yoga and mountain bikes with her two Australian shepherds, Cholla and Poppy, through Missoula's Rattlesnake Wilderness.—
Madison Dapcevich,
Outside,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sticking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sticking. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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