as in countryside
the open rural area outside of big towns and cities
grew up in the sticks and is used to traveling miles just to get a loaf of bread
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in puts
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 stabs
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 plucks
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 sticks
Pubsubhub User,
Baltimore Sun,
4 June 2026
Selfie sticks For the safety and comfort of all guests, guests may only bring selfie sticks, handheld extension poles and tripods no longer than 18 inches on board, for use in most areas.
—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
The step-by-step approach matters because going cold turkey rarely sticks.
—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 May 2026
The Antarctic Peninsula, a spindly chain of icy mountains which sticks off the west side of the continent like a thumb pointing toward South America, is one of the fastest warming places in the Southern Hemisphere.
—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
Each sticks their face in the fan at an admirable level, but separation ability will always be their calling card.
—
Jimmy Durkin,
New York Times,
8 May 2026
The film builds with confidence, earns its twist, and sticks the landing in a way that feels both inevitable and wholly unexpected.
—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
6 May 2026
Lohan's day of filming included a version that sticks closely to the original blueprint.
—
Daisy Maldonado,
InStyle,
3 Apr. 2026
Once the media sticks its oar in, the real reason for the robbery emerges by degrees.
—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
Your practical eye spots tiny gaps, while a kind tone keeps people open to change so the fix actually sticks today.
—
Pubsubhub User,
Baltimore Sun,
4 June 2026
Selfie sticks For the safety and comfort of all guests, guests may only bring selfie sticks, handheld extension poles and tripods no longer than 18 inches on board, for use in most areas.
—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
The step-by-step approach matters because going cold turkey rarely sticks.
—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 May 2026
The Antarctic Peninsula, a spindly chain of icy mountains which sticks off the west side of the continent like a thumb pointing toward South America, is one of the fastest warming places in the Southern Hemisphere.
—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
Each sticks their face in the fan at an admirable level, but separation ability will always be their calling card.
—
Jimmy Durkin,
New York Times,
8 May 2026
The film builds with confidence, earns its twist, and sticks the landing in a way that feels both inevitable and wholly unexpected.
—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
6 May 2026
Lohan's day of filming included a version that sticks closely to the original blueprint.
—
Daisy Maldonado,
InStyle,
3 Apr. 2026
Once the media sticks its oar in, the real reason for the robbery emerges by degrees.
—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
31 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sticks
Verb
-
This helps ensure the new grout adheres properly.
-
Though Ecco adheres by the principle that form follows function, its walking shoes are still mighty stylish.
Verb
-
Bond puts increase in value when bond prices fall and interest rates rise, allowing investors to offset losses elsewhere in their portfolios if borrowing costs jump unexpectedly.
-
That puts those Lawler-supporting Democrats in the unique position of helping choose his next opponent by voting in the June 23 primary.
Verb
-
His right-hand man, Bishop, pulls an Iago on him and stabs him in the back by emptying his bullets.
-
The shower curtain opens, revealing an old woman, who stabs and decapitates Mary.
Verb
-
His torso and thighs grow eye-poppingly muscular beneath their skimpy fur-and-leather togs—a development that does not go unnoticed by a warrior named Red Hair, who plucks the young hunk from his post and tosses him into the prime time of the gladiator pit.
-
But the emotional gravity of this offering's deeply personal, melancholic lyrical content plucks an undeniably profound chord that uniquely separates it from the rest of his work.
Verb
-
The dream has to be pinned down, even though a faint trace of this truth still clings to it.
-
How Often to Clean a Fiberglass Shower Clean fiberglass showers and tubs weekly to remove body soil and soap scum that clings to the finish.
Verb
-
Christian Guy, Executive Director of The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, situates it inside something larger still.
-
The 83-year-old singer’s latest LP, Swamp Dogg Contemplates the Afterlife, situates him as comfortably as ever at the intersection of soul, country, and traditional worship music.
Verb
-
Washington, which picks first, Utah, Memphis and Chicago have the first shots at those potential franchise-defining players.
-
The Panthers were connected to a potential trade for Winnipeg Jets netminder and three-time Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck, but that is likely not happening now after Florida sent its haul of draft picks to Ottawa.
Verb
-
With electric vehicles continuing to gain share, that further squeezes European carmakers.
-
At one point, the SUV squeezes past a traffic cone while making a left turn and narrowly avoids colliding with a large truck.
Cite this Entry
“Sticks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sticks. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
