as in certainty
one that is certain to succeed
the governor is regarded as a lock for his party's presidential nomination
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lock
Christopher Murray
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 25 July 2025
One 158-year-old British transportation firm had to shut down altogether after hackers guessed one employee’s weak password, locked down its systems, and demanded a ransom the firm was unable to pay.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 25 July 2025
Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 9 July 2025
Sutton, Mims, Vele, Franklin and Bryant are essentially locks.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for lock
Noun
Original price: $179.99 Lifetime coolers are American-made and designed to be bear-resistant when locked.
—Christopher Murray
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 25 July 2025
One 158-year-old British transportation firm had to shut down altogether after hackers guessed one employee’s weak password, locked down its systems, and demanded a ransom the firm was unable to pay.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 25 July 2025
Verb
Her short locks were tucked into the straightened hair cap, which fell just above her dark brown eyebrows.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 9 July 2025
Sutton, Mims, Vele, Franklin and Bryant are essentially locks.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for lock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lock
Noun
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Cost certainty on Kaprizov’s next deal could help finalize terms on Rossi’s contract, but the shifting salary landscape in the NHL amidst unprecedented salary-cap growth has most of the top unrestricted free agents for the class of 2026 playing the waiting game for now.—
Carol Schram,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
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With under 48 hours until the deadline, the one certainty is that the Red Sox will feel some sense of relief come Thursday night.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
30 July 2025
Verb
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But the attacks on Powell have grown in recent weeks, and Republicans have latched onto what was once a routine — albeit expensive — construction project for the Fed.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
24 July 2025
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Playing the deep position, Cruz latched onto the final out, then sprinted in, jumping into Hargrove’s arms.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 July 2025
Verb
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Open up the panels for a cooler, roomier feel, or layer in more blankets and wrap it up tight on chillier nights.—
Francesca Krempa,
Travel + Leisure,
25 July 2025
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As guests arrived, they were treated to tote bags filled with various goodies, including fresh baguettes wrapped in personalized tissue paper designed by Mariee Ami's vice president of graphic design, Mary Baugh, who was behind all of the wedding artwork.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
People.com,
25 July 2025
Noun
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Holmes Beach is a slam dunk for families, and Bean Point is perfect for those seeking solace.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
26 July 2025
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The law was anything but a slam dunk, even after the Chandler case that inspired it.—
Stacey Barchenger,
AZCentral.com,
8 July 2025
Verb
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Is there a polite way to shut it down, other than just leaving?—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
28 July 2025
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If the players try to stand up for themselves, even a little, Bettman shuts everything down.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
25 July 2025
Verb
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The collapse of Higher Ground Education may seem like a simple business story, but when businesses falter and fold in the education space, there are always students, parents, teachers, and families that are collatoral damage.—
Peter Greene,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
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Austin has welcomed an exciting array of restaurants into the dining fold over the last year or so.—
Matthew Odam,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
Verb
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Without warning or notice the door opens and the bull bolted into the arena, throwing Horton around like a rag doll.—
Jon-Michael Banks,
Kansas City Star,
31 July 2025
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Former Seminole High quarterback Michael Clayton also decided to bolt for Edison.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 July 2025
Verb
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In the vein of Jim Ford and Tony Joe White, East’s voice is fully formed here, twining country rootstock with soul and gospel so tightly that the traditions feel inseparable, and rightly so.—
Will Hermes,
Rolling Stone,
24 June 2025
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At his best, McCann does an assiduous, subtle job of twining his metaphors through everyday life.—
Katy Waldman,
New Yorker,
19 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lock. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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