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
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Recent Examples of sticking
Wednesday confronts Bianca, who is bewildered about her Siren-song not sticking; Wednesday is taking control of things now and Bianca needs to trust her.
—
Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
What was sticking closer to home in roles about?
—Chris Willman, Variety, 1 Sep. 2025
The sizable 14-inch diameter is excellent for making pizzas to share, and it’s preseasoned with vegetable oil to prevent sticking.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025
Another month or so of growth, and if the Sabrina Carpenter and Taylor Swift songs don’t end up sticking immediately… five, six, even seven are all possibilities.
—Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 26 Aug. 2025
The singing chant lasted nearly 30 seconds and assisted Reigns with sticking it to his upcoming opponent, Reed, and former advocate, Paul Heyman.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025
The electrician had been working on a construction project at Harlem Hospital, fixing the building’s fire alarm system and testing the HVAC, sticking his head into ducts.
—Wendy Grossman Kantor, People.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Add more flour to work surface as needed to prevent sticking.
—Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Aug. 2025
Early forecasters relied on rough chart systems and educated guesswork—not all that more sophisticated than sticking your finger in the air, or relying on your uncle’s bum knee.
—Larry Bradley, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
What was sticking closer to home in roles about?
—Chris Willman, Variety, 1 Sep. 2025
The sizable 14-inch diameter is excellent for making pizzas to share, and it’s preseasoned with vegetable oil to prevent sticking.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025
Another month or so of growth, and if the Sabrina Carpenter and Taylor Swift songs don’t end up sticking immediately… five, six, even seven are all possibilities.
—Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 26 Aug. 2025
The singing chant lasted nearly 30 seconds and assisted Reigns with sticking it to his upcoming opponent, Reed, and former advocate, Paul Heyman.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025
The electrician had been working on a construction project at Harlem Hospital, fixing the building’s fire alarm system and testing the HVAC, sticking his head into ducts.
—Wendy Grossman Kantor, People.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Add more flour to work surface as needed to prevent sticking.
—Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Aug. 2025
Early forecasters relied on rough chart systems and educated guesswork—not all that more sophisticated than sticking your finger in the air, or relying on your uncle’s bum knee.
—Larry Bradley, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sticking
Verb
-
To illustrate the absurdity of adhering too closely to genre conventions, Galloway describes a plot about an innocent girl who winds up in a strange town.—
Erik Pedersen,
Oc Register,
7 Aug. 2025
-
As fiduciaries, trustees are charged with managing trust assets, making distributions according to the trust’s terms and adhering strictly to the grantor’s intent and the language in the trust agreement.—
Royce Ramey,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
That hasn't stopped the administration from putting US tech through the wringer at home, though.—
Ryan Whitwam,
ArsTechnica,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Above all, Durbin said nothing DHS or ICE is doing at the naval base can interfere with its mission which includes putting thousands of men and women through boot camp to become sailors.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The video shows Brown seated behind the victim before pulling out a folding knife and stabbing her multiple times without provocation.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Around four minutes later, the man pulls out a knife and begins stabbing Zarutska three times, including at least once in the neck.—
Bradford Betz,
FOXNews.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Row the dumbbell up towards your chest, squeezing your shoulder blades together.—
Jakob Roze,
Health,
8 Sep. 2025
-
While startups occasionally push boundaries with optimization techniques—squeezing more efficiency out of existing silicon—barriers to entry are overwhelmingly high.—
Forbes.com,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
With more men than women using apps and with women being more discerning, the odds seem to be against men, particularly men who are clinging to unrealistic expectations.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Millennials are currently ruling the tech industry and clinging to their roles as the economy is rocked by uncertainty due to tariffs, inflation increases living expenses, and AI swipes jobs.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In a new Instagram photo dump recapping her 30th birthday celebrations, Brittany Mahomes shared a photo of the Grammy winner, 35, joining in on the party — and placing her martini on the mother of three’s head!—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
-
But placing unfinished or untested writing in front of the eyes of other experienced and respected writers actually takes courage.—
Beverly Gologorsky
September 5,
Literary Hub,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Both are solid options in their own ways, and picking one would no doubt harm the other.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Sep. 2025
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After more than an hour on the road, the team arrived at a cluster of trailers behind a long dirt path on a grower’s property in South Haven, tight quarters where farmworkers rest after long-hour shifts picking fruit under the Michigan sun.—
David Rodriguez Muñoz,
Freep.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
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,
29 Aug. 2025
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It’s haltingly played, like a child plucking out the notes, to emphasize John’s deep connection to his daughter.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
20 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sticking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sticking. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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