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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 While standard cast iron typically requires seasoning to both preserve and maintain its quality and help prevent food from sticking, this cast iron is equipped with a black matte satin interior enamel coating that’s made to resist cracking, chipping, and staining. —

Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026 Hanson continued to cause problems for Christensen — now at Barcelona — by sticking diligently to his left flank duties, and Filipe Morais levelled the score 15 minutes from time. —

Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026 When working in the garden, use a rake to shake the bushes before sticking your hands into an area where snakes hide. —

Michele Gile, CBS News, 7 Mar. 2026 The old-school charm inside the small restaurant recreates the feeling of dining in your grandmother’s kitchen, with bentwood chairs, mismatched dishes and big platters of rib-sticking dishes being passed around crowded tables. —

Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 6 Mar. 2026 Both experts recommended sticking only to high-quality fresh or pasteurized eggs and enjoying Italian coffee in moderation. —

Eleesha Lockett, Verywell Health, 27 Feb. 2026 Instead of skittering off, the hot droplets start sticking and seeping into the surface texture, and leave wet patches behind. —

Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 24 Feb. 2026 Many attribute his sticking power to his skills as a political operator, which, alongside his inspirational speeches, have earned him comparisons with Winston Churchill. —

Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026 Another slide collages pictures of the two wearing matching sunglasses, while a third image sees Ratajkowski playfully sticking her tongue out as the couple enjoy a dinner date. —

Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 20 Feb. 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