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.
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Recent Examples of sticks
Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2026
Consistently entertaining and loopy (pardon the pun) Tales From the Loop is a visual feast that hits the ground running and sticks the landing.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Jan. 2026
Patrick sticks the blade in, but only after Huw set the table.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Barb appears, and sticks the device in Hank’s neck, pulling out the fusion chip.
—Jack King, Vulture, 21 Jan. 2026
Sir Jimmy sticks a knife in Kelson, which turns out to be a mortal wound, but Spike and Kelly (Erin Kellyman) – aka Jimmy Ink – attack Sir Jimmy.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 17 Jan. 2026
This pink backdrop adds instant shimmer and comes with double-sided tape that sticks on any smooth surface.
—Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 16 Jan. 2026
Research in habit formation consistently shows that behavior sticks when it is tied to context cues, environment and routine rather than motivation alone.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 1 Jan. 2026
Continue to beat on medium speed until dough is elastic, tacky, and pulls away cleanly from sides but still sticks slightly to bottom of bowl, about 5 minutes longer.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 21 Dec. 2025
Verb
But this is not the substance of the speech that sticks.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2026
Consistently entertaining and loopy (pardon the pun) Tales From the Loop is a visual feast that hits the ground running and sticks the landing.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Jan. 2026
Patrick sticks the blade in, but only after Huw set the table.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Barb appears, and sticks the device in Hank’s neck, pulling out the fusion chip.
—Jack King, Vulture, 21 Jan. 2026
Sir Jimmy sticks a knife in Kelson, which turns out to be a mortal wound, but Spike and Kelly (Erin Kellyman) – aka Jimmy Ink – attack Sir Jimmy.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 17 Jan. 2026
This pink backdrop adds instant shimmer and comes with double-sided tape that sticks on any smooth surface.
—Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 16 Jan. 2026
Research in habit formation consistently shows that behavior sticks when it is tied to context cues, environment and routine rather than motivation alone.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 1 Jan. 2026
Continue to beat on medium speed until dough is elastic, tacky, and pulls away cleanly from sides but still sticks slightly to bottom of bowl, about 5 minutes longer.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 21 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sticks
Verb
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Painting indoors during the winter can be a productive way to refresh your space, but temperature and indoor conditions play a major role in how well the paint adheres and dries.—
Timothy Dale,
The Spruce,
6 Jan. 2026
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Based on a true story, the novel adheres remarkably to the facts.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
7 Dec. 2025
Verb
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This puts American battery and mineral recyclers at a competitive disadvantage against recyclers in Basel member countries — including China.—
Kristen Edgreen Kaufman,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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The versatile beach takes up a mile-long stretch just beyond downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea, which puts it walking distance from a whole bunch of cute shops and restaurants.—
Alanna Bennett,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Milo tries to be a hero, trying to use pepper spray on Morgan, but Morgan stabs and kills him.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Percy, now carrying the Golden Fleece, runs toward the elevator, but Luke stabs him through the closing doors.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
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From the metallic sheen of a beetle to the delicacy of a butterfly, Sandini described how Materia Futura plucks inspiration straight from nature.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
30 Jan. 2026
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Suddenly, Jeff Parker plucks a sighing six-note guitar run, dropping his shoulders into a solo section that carries the tune to its swooning conclusion.—
Dash Lewis,
Pitchfork,
20 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Journalism, my beloved profession, still clings to the virtues of distance and detachment.—
Jerry Brewer,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
-
In the absence of guidance or attention, Iris clings to the long-absent Aris like a source of belonging.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Such thinking situates Kurdi in a lineage of experimental musicians working in the second half of the twentieth century.—
Olivia Giovetti,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
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Their collaboration also situates White’s legacy in the present, linking his early battles for visibility to today’s pop-culture boom.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Nnaji and picks for Jones might sound pretty nice to Denver fans, but basketball reasons aside, why would the Magic agree to that when its goal would also be to decrease payroll?—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
1 Feb. 2026
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The three-team deal included the Chicago Bulls, who received veteran Dario Saric and future second-round draft picks from Sacramento and Cleveland.—
HECTOR AMEZCUA,
Sacbee.com,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This example of the latter skillfully squeezes a comfortable home for two into a single shipping container.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
11 Jan. 2026
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As the moon follows an elliptical path, Saturn’s gravity stretches and squeezes it.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sticks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sticks. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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