as in certainties
one that is certain to succeed
the governor is regarded as a lock for his party's presidential nomination
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of locks
Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 12 Feb. 2026
Three seem like locks (if healthy) – Tanner Scott, Alex Vesia and Blake Treinen.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 11 Feb. 2026
The afternoon light crowns the earth in a golden haze, the glow of Hollywood movies during the Great Depression, the glow of Shirley Temple’s curly locks.
—Literary Hub, 10 Feb. 2026
Her retro-looking shaggy locks were styled in loose curls tucked behind her ears.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 10 Feb. 2026
Iron door hinges, locks and pintles were forged by Ron Siebler, the beloved Dallas do-everything building craftsman.
—Mark Lamster
architecture Critic, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
Contreras and Trevor Story are obvious locks to start, and the second and third base jobs will presumably go to some combination of Romy Gonzalez, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Marcelo Mayer or Kristian Campbell.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 2026
The mid layer locks in your body heat.
—Emilee Coblentz, Outside, 7 Feb. 2026
In November, Princess Kate revealed the reason behind her lighter hair hue at the Royal Variety Performance in London, when actress Su Pollard asked about what caused her lighter locks.
—Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
Noun
Alarms for doors and windows, smart locks or wearables that detect movement are other options that boost safety and can connect to the caregiver's smartphones.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 12 Feb. 2026
Three seem like locks (if healthy) – Tanner Scott, Alex Vesia and Blake Treinen.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 11 Feb. 2026
The afternoon light crowns the earth in a golden haze, the glow of Hollywood movies during the Great Depression, the glow of Shirley Temple’s curly locks.
—Literary Hub, 10 Feb. 2026
Her retro-looking shaggy locks were styled in loose curls tucked behind her ears.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 10 Feb. 2026
Iron door hinges, locks and pintles were forged by Ron Siebler, the beloved Dallas do-everything building craftsman.
—Mark Lamster
architecture Critic, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
Contreras and Trevor Story are obvious locks to start, and the second and third base jobs will presumably go to some combination of Romy Gonzalez, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Marcelo Mayer or Kristian Campbell.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 2026
The mid layer locks in your body heat.
—Emilee Coblentz, Outside, 7 Feb. 2026
In November, Princess Kate revealed the reason behind her lighter hair hue at the Royal Variety Performance in London, when actress Su Pollard asked about what caused her lighter locks.
—Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for locks
Verb
-
Typically said when someone copies a trend, latches onto a friend's obsession, or just teases in a playful way.—
Annabelle Canela,
Parents,
5 Sep. 2025
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That against-the-odds spirit is what the documentary crew latches onto as the thread tying their story together.—
Andy Meek,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
White matter, so named because of a pale, fatty substance called myelin that wraps the bundles of nerves, carries information between gray matter areas like highways in the brain.—
Christopher M. Filley,
The Conversation,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Bang & Olufsen has also crafted a soft, premium leather pouch, which is offered as an optional accessory that wraps around Beo Grace’s aluminum charging case.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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To address this, Ivo uses a multi-step pipeline that chains together more than 400 model calls for each contract review.—
Charlie Fink,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Tokyo Central is owned by Japanese company Pan Pacific Retail Management, which also runs the grocery chains Gelson’s and Don Quijote.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
3 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Precise placement is possible using DNA origami, which folds DNA into nanoscale shapes to guide molecules into position.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Once the tent is deflated, the owner folds the floor back inside and closes the roof.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Linden waves, and the door shuts behind her.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
4 Feb. 2026
-
For each component, Rosenberg provides examples of language that supports connection and language that shuts it down.—
Jasna Hodžić,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Even so, the Tower of Dimon, sitting at the intersection of finance and real estate, twines itself literally through the physical city, from the train tunnels below to the sidewalk and up to the skyline — and through its urban culture, too.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
12 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Aquazzura’s signature swirling ankle strap curves upward from the sides of the shoe and fastens the 105mm heel with a slim buckle.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
16 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The trail encircles a large, ADA-accessible playground and also provides views of the South Bend skyline.—
Erika Ebsworth-Goold,
Midwest Living,
4 Jan. 2026
-
Many travelers choose to explore the area via the Ring of Kerry, the scenic drive that encircles the peninsula.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Locks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/locks. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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