STICKS Synonyms: 189 Similar and Opposite Words

sticks 1 of 2

plural noun

ˈstik

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

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sticks

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of stick

as in adheres

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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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

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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

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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

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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 sticks

Verb

What’s a Jimmy Webb classic where something sticks in your craw? — Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026 The right-side fan mount is also covered with a dust filter, which sticks magnetically to the inside of the side panel. — Thomas Soderstrom, PC Magazine, 10 Oct. 2026 Selfie sticks dangle off every bridge, and tour groups shuffle behind guides waving flags. — Mary Holland, Robb Report, 8 Oct. 2026 The progress that really sticks occurs when many stakeholders—most notably, customers—are actively involved in a process of co-creation. — Garret Gray, Forbes.com, 24 Sep. 2026 Joy walks by to get into the walk-in fridge and sticks her tongue out at Gen’s back. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026 In any case, the epilogue sticks the landing and allows audiences to leave the theater feeling riled up rather than hopeless. — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2026 The graphic below illustrates that Circati is not a centre-back who sticks a foot in too often, preferring to sit off and protect the space. — Thom Harris, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 Open for breakfast and lunch, the eatery sticks largely to the classics—think omelets, pancakes, eggs Benedict, and plenty of biscuits, best enjoyed smothered in gravy, of course. — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sticks

Verb

Kiko Milano Eyeshadow Stick’s formula fortunately adheres perfectly to the lids.

— Laura Sandroni, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026
Roll each dough ball in powdered sugar, rolling between your palms so that sugar adheres.

— Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 17 July 2026

Definition of adheres

Verb

In August, after Piker implied that Jews' support for Israel puts them at risk of personal violence, El-Sayed sought to distance himself from the controversy, saying Piker did not speak for the campaign.

— Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 1 Nov. 2026
Mushrooms are an underrated ingredient in Indian cooking, and this creamy masala puts the earthy veg front and center.

— Rachel Gurjar, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of puts

Verb

The sequence culminates in the Great Hall, where Ned kicks part of his broken cane to Colum, who stabs MacKinney in the leg.

— Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026
But before Bane can finish him off, Batman stabs a Batarang into a little knob on Bane’s wrist gauntlet, the one that controls his intake of Venom.

— Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of stabs

Verb

Trump sometimes plucks memes from a sprawling ecosystem of online conservative supporters, and sometimes his government staff produces them as part of their official messaging.

— Josh Boak, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
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.

— Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 15 June 2026

Definition of plucks

Verb

By roasting the brussels sprouts snuggled into a blanket of grated Parmesan cheese, the cheese melts into a crispy, frico-like sheet that clings onto the sprouts, surrounding them in a lace-like halo.

— Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 Oct. 2026
Sigurd’s departure only deepens this cynicism, which Livia clings to for 27 years — until the pair reconnect on the phone for a truly excruciating conversation.

— Sam Worley, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of clings

Verb

This makes your role clear and situates it in the context of goals everyone cares about.

— Melody Wilding, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026
The murkiness of it all clarifies by the end of the film, not just in terms of its heroes, villains and message, but Greengrass also situates this story within a recognizable cinematic and storytelling history.

— Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of situates

Verb

Injuries to potential top NFL Draft picks OT Trevor Goosby and DE Colin Simmons have hurt Texas, but haven’t held it back.

— PJ Green November 2, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2026
The Chicago Bears traded for All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons in a blockbuster move Thursday, sending a package that included two first-round draft picks to the Tennessee Titans.

— Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of picks

Verb

George pounds, folds, and squeezes the dough as Minicuci watches.

— HubSpot, HubSpot, 30 Oct. 2026
When the user presses their finger on the part of the patch that contains the wet fabric, the pressure squeezes the water out of the material, down one of the microfluidic channels, and into the foaming agent chamber.

— Ben Coxworth October 23, New Atlas, 23 Oct. 2026