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

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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 The arrangements are not exactly the same as last year, however, as Dylan fans were surprised to hear his band sticking only to acoustic guitars and not electrics during the year’s opening shows. —

Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026 Big Jay wasn’t as free range, sticking close to the Kansas cheerleaders. —

Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026 Tobias said those decisions likely reflect judges sticking closely to the statute and reacting to how the administration has handled past appointments. —

Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 22 Mar. 2026 Video and images released by state media showed Kim’s daughter sticking her head out of the driver’s hatch of a moving, olive green tank while her smiling father sat on top with three soldiers. —

Hyung-Jin Kim, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026 The 912 filled that gap below the new halo car starting in 1965, sticking the old 356’s flat-four motor into the new model’s body. —

Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2026 The images showed the girl sticking her head out of the tank’s hatch, while Kim sitting on the top of the tank and smiling. —

ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026 Apply a thin layer around the door frame to keep dust from sticking and building up there. —

Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2026 One of those at Nottingham Forest’s Europa League defeat to Midtjylland last night seized the moment by turning to the camera and sticking his fingers in his ears (above). —

Phil Hay, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sticking

Verb

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
Homeowners should avoid painting the exterior of their home if the temperature or humidity is expected to fluctuate significantly, as this could leave bubbles or prevent the paint from adhering properly.

— Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Jan. 2026