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
At one point, Davies can be seen sticking her head out of the open window and waving to park officials below.
—
Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
For most of her first two seasons, the league treated her like just another player, sticking her on the back of posters and leaving her out of promos.
—Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 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
Another part of the campus has dozens of roofs just sticking above the ground as the shingles freeze and bake and are soaked by Mother Nature sometimes for more than a decade for more testing.
—ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
If the Broncos can make two of the worst deals in Denver sports history go away, that would be almost as impressive as sticking a fork in the Chiefs’ AFC West dynasty.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 15 Apr. 2026
The new model can also more accurately perceive the risk of injury to humans in different scenarios, such as a young child sticking something into an electrical socket.
—Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 15 Apr. 2026
Oil the pan Use a neutral oil (such as vegetable, canola, or grapeseed oil) to prevent sticking and encourage browning.
—Li Goldstein, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Apr. 2026
Check the soil by sticking your finger into it.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 13 Apr. 2026
Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
For most of her first two seasons, the league treated her like just another player, sticking her on the back of posters and leaving her out of promos.
—Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 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
Another part of the campus has dozens of roofs just sticking above the ground as the shingles freeze and bake and are soaked by Mother Nature sometimes for more than a decade for more testing.
—ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
If the Broncos can make two of the worst deals in Denver sports history go away, that would be almost as impressive as sticking a fork in the Chiefs’ AFC West dynasty.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 15 Apr. 2026
The new model can also more accurately perceive the risk of injury to humans in different scenarios, such as a young child sticking something into an electrical socket.
—Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 15 Apr. 2026
Oil the pan Use a neutral oil (such as vegetable, canola, or grapeseed oil) to prevent sticking and encourage browning.
—Li Goldstein, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Apr. 2026
Check the soil by sticking your finger into it.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 13 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sticking
Verb
-
Harding’s caucus often has chastised Democrats for not adhering strictly to state budget limitations.—
Keith M. Phaneuf,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2026
-
What researchers do know is that the sounds come from stick-slip friction—the regular cycles of two objects adhering and moving between one another.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Tucker’s starting to find his way as far as putting the barrel on the ball.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The Senate Banking Committee advanced Kevin Warsh’s nomination along party lines on Wednesday, putting him on track for confirmation before Powell’s term as chair ends May 15.—
Eleanor Mueller,
semafor.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The woman, whose identity has not been made public, allegedly is seen hitting the man believed to be Alexander in the back, resulting in him promptly stabbing her in the hand.—
Staff Author,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Prosecutors said Andrews attacked Cressman, 39, striking him with a cricket bat before fatally stabbing him.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
From truckers to commuters, gasoline prices are squeezing budgets across the country.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The university is scheduled to replace the turf in July, squeezing into a tight window of summer events.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Chudzinski’s most stressful situation came in the bottom of the sixth inning with the Warriors clinging to a 3-2 lead.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Those parties clinging to the outdated and socially unacceptable business model that relies on selling puppy mill puppies to unsuspecting consumers are no longer welcome in nine states and over 520 localities and some are looking for a new home.—
Annie Hornish,
Hartford Courant,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Forty years later, Moscow is once again placing Chornobyl at immense risk — this time through a violent war of aggression that threatens to bring nuclear catastrophe back to Ukraine and Europe.—
Benjamin Mack-Jackson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
-
His favorite example is capturing condensation from air conditioners, typically by placing a bucket under outdoor drainpipes.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
To get there, a city needs a gigantic outdoor footprint, real tourism appeal, public transit, adequate hotel inventory, and a backdrop that makes people want to show up even if their team is picking 24th and taking an offensive lineman.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2026
-
San Francisco kicked off its Saturday selections by picking Oklahoma defensive tackle Gracen Halton with the 107th overall pick.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
For some, working with soil evokes nostalgia for childhood summers, smelling thorny roses in bloom and plucking ripe tomatoes off the vine.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Brawley hires football coach After a months-long search, Brawley High School has hired a football coach, plucking Rick Stewart away from Calipatria.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sticking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sticking. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
