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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nicked
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
Milos Kerkez had been hesitant minutes earlier when Burnley nicked possession deep in Liverpool territory.
—Andy Jones, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2026
So as of now, when the Hornets suit up for games on consecutive nights, that doesn’t mean their top two players who were nicked up during the season’s initial month won’t be in uniform and available.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 29 Nov. 2025
Atlanta returns from its bye week still nicked up in the secondary, with cornerback Clark Phillips out with a triceps injury, while safety Billy Bowman (knee) and corner Natrone Brooks (concussion) are questionable.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
The 130-grain bullet had nicked brush.
—Robert Merchant, Outdoor Life, 1 Oct. 2025
An autopsy revealed Murray died from a single gunshot wound to the right upper back that nicked the right lung and exited the right upper clavicle.
—Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 24 Sep. 2025
His dad nicked him on the back of the leg with the chain saw.
—John J. Lennon, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2025
But Treinen snuffed out the rally by whiffing Adames looking at a full-count 96 mph sinker that nicked the outside corner and Matt Chapman swinging at an 85 mph sweeper that was way outside.
—Mike Digiovanna, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Jan. 2026
Milos Kerkez had been hesitant minutes earlier when Burnley nicked possession deep in Liverpool territory.
—Andy Jones, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2026
So as of now, when the Hornets suit up for games on consecutive nights, that doesn’t mean their top two players who were nicked up during the season’s initial month won’t be in uniform and available.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 29 Nov. 2025
Atlanta returns from its bye week still nicked up in the secondary, with cornerback Clark Phillips out with a triceps injury, while safety Billy Bowman (knee) and corner Natrone Brooks (concussion) are questionable.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
The 130-grain bullet had nicked brush.
—Robert Merchant, Outdoor Life, 1 Oct. 2025
An autopsy revealed Murray died from a single gunshot wound to the right upper back that nicked the right lung and exited the right upper clavicle.
—Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 24 Sep. 2025
His dad nicked him on the back of the leg with the chain saw.
—John J. Lennon, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2025
But Treinen snuffed out the rally by whiffing Adames looking at a full-count 96 mph sinker that nicked the outside corner and Matt Chapman swinging at an 85 mph sweeper that was way outside.
—Mike Digiovanna, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nicked
Verb
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The sentencing follows a year in which mostly Chinese scammers stole a record $17 billion from regular people.—
Carlos Garcia,
Fortune,
28 Jan. 2026
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What settler stole this sacred land and is now charging me for these healing waters?—
Gaby Iori
January 27,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The suspect, identified by authorities as a 17-year-old San Jose boy, was arrested on suspicion of murder Tuesday in Santa Clara, San Jose police Officer Tanya Hernandez said in a news release.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
31 Jan. 2026
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The verdict capped a yearslong effort to hold Chasing Horse accountable after he was first arrested and indicted in 2023, sending what authorities described as shock waves through the area.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Over the last four seasons, Bader has swiped 65 bases and posted 85th percentile sprint speed last season.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
26 Jan. 2026
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Sophomore forward Billy Richmond III swiped the ball away from sophomore guard Christian Anderson, tumbled to the floor and passed ahead to Acuff, who completed a three-point play after he was fouled by Lejuan Watts on the layup.—
Matt Byrne,
Arkansas Online,
13 Dec. 2025
Verb
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In lieu of complicated controls and systems, these games seized on the high-energy gameplay of intense dogfighting moments, boiling it down into arcadey combat that was more accessible to the masses.—
Alan Bradley,
Space.com,
31 Jan. 2026
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Gabbard was photographed in Fulton County on the day of the raid as the FBI seized 2020 election ballots.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Baer grabbed the arms of his chair and began to stand.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
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It was rapidly removed, but an image of the listing was grabbed ahead of that.—
Andrew Williams,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Authorities apprehended four inmates on Friday; the arrests of the remaining four were announced early Saturday.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
31 Jan. 2026
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After being released on bond, he was apprehended two days later in Waterbury by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, federal officials said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nicked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nicked. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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