Synonyms of sit-innext
1
2
a
: an act of occupying seats in a racially segregated establishment in organized protest against discrimination
b
: an act of sitting in the seats or on the floor of an establishment as a means of organized protest

sit in

2 of 2

verb

sat in; sitting in; sits in

intransitive verb

1
: to take part in or be present at a session of music or discussion as a visitor
often used with on
invited to sit in on a rehearsal
2
: to participate in a sit-in

Examples of sit-in in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
Shopkeepers in bazaars have staged sit-ins, not unlike those that preceded the January protests. Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026 The answer to those questions began in June, when the Cockroach Janta Party called its followers into the street and established a sustained sit-in at Jantar Mantar. Penny Abeywardena, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Verb
Mia sits in a hospital bed while their son sits in a jail cell. Sam McDowell July 30, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026 Earlier this month, Manish Malhotra also debuted at the event, with Anna Wintour sitting in the front row. CNN Money, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for sit-in

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1936, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1936, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sit-in was in 1936

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Sit-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sit-in. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

Kids Definition

sit-in

noun
ˈsit-ˌin
: an act of sitting in seats or on the floor (as in a restaurant or office) as a means of organized protest

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