1
as in stole
to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep
that lorry was a piece of rubbish, I don't know why anyone would want to nick it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in arrested
to take or keep under one's control by authority of law
a petty thief who was always getting nicked for picking the pockets of tourists outside Buckingham Palace
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 nicked
Bodily nicked the right goalpost three minutes later, and Jonathan Ricketts fired a rocket just over the crossbar in the 70th minute.
—
Idaho Statesman, 5 Apr. 2026
The Phillies nicked Dollander for a run in the fifth, utilizing a leadoff single by Brandon Marsh, who scored on Turner’s double to right.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026
In the Royals’ 6-2 loss to the Braves, Perez rightfully challenged a 2-1 fastball that barely nicked the strike zone, turning a would-be 3-1 count into a 2-2 count.
—Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
One pitch nicked the top of the zone.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
At one point or another, everything in life gets nicked, scratched or broken — even our relationships.
—Barton Goldsmith, AJC.com, 3 Mar. 2026
Would challenges be too boring if viewers already knew whether a pitch nicked the black?
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 21 Feb. 2026
The visual evidence, indeed, showed that Kennedy’s finger likely nicked the stone.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 16 Feb. 2026
Morning glory and sweet pea seeds, for example, germinate best when nicked with a nail clipper, just enough to break the seed coat so moisture can enter more easily.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Jan. 2026
Idaho Statesman, 5 Apr. 2026
The Phillies nicked Dollander for a run in the fifth, utilizing a leadoff single by Brandon Marsh, who scored on Turner’s double to right.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026
In the Royals’ 6-2 loss to the Braves, Perez rightfully challenged a 2-1 fastball that barely nicked the strike zone, turning a would-be 3-1 count into a 2-2 count.
—Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
One pitch nicked the top of the zone.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
At one point or another, everything in life gets nicked, scratched or broken — even our relationships.
—Barton Goldsmith, AJC.com, 3 Mar. 2026
Would challenges be too boring if viewers already knew whether a pitch nicked the black?
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 21 Feb. 2026
The visual evidence, indeed, showed that Kennedy’s finger likely nicked the stone.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 16 Feb. 2026
Morning glory and sweet pea seeds, for example, germinate best when nicked with a nail clipper, just enough to break the seed coat so moisture can enter more easily.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nicked
Verb
-
After the second pitch, Joey Loperfido stole second base and Christian Walker scored on the play thanks to a throwing error by catcher Connor Wong.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Nestlé revealed that thieves stole 12 tons of KitKat products while the candy was in transit between the company’s factory in central Italy and its destination in Poland.—
Samantha Agate,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
When the interview ended, Marsha wasn't arrested.—
Peter Van Sant,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Police arrested Bowen, 40, on Wednesday, charged with murdering his wife in their Coral Springs home and tampering with evidence.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Holter, who lives about a mile away, remembers a suitcase stolen off a porch and a bicycle swiped.—
Celina Tebor,
CNN Money,
19 Mar. 2026
-
The Monrovia Police Department said the woman suffered minor injuries after the bear swiped at her leg and scratched the back of her knee on Saturday.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Police said that officers seized a quantity of marijuana and a gun that was later found to have been stolen.—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Gangs have since seized control of much of the capital, Port-au-Prince, leading then-Prime Minister Ariel Henry to request international military support in 2022.—
Max Saltman,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Shamet was fouled on the play and missed the and-one free throw, but second-year backup big man Ariel Hukporti grabbed the offensive rebound to create a second shot opportunity.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Walmart grabbed 23% of the market share last year, the same as in 2024.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The man was arrested after being apprehended while wandering through Minaj's backyard on Wednesday morning, an officer with the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department's Hidden Hills station confirmed.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Hitler escaped arrest but was apprehended 2 days later and found guilty after a 24-day trial.—
Lorenzino Estrada,
AZCentral.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nicked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nicked. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
