stick 1 of 2

verb

Definition of sticknext
1
as in to adhere
to hold to something firmly as if by adhesion those magnets are strong enough to stick to the refrigerator without any problems

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to put
to arrange something in a certain spot or position you can stick that box in the corner until I figure out where to put everything

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to stab
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object could hardly feel the needle when the nurse stuck my arm with it

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to squeeze
to rob by the use of trickery or threats she got stuck by an unscrupulous seller while using the online auction site

Synonyms & Similar Words

stick

2 of 2

noun

1
as in finger

Related Words
2
as in clam

Related Words

Dissimilar Words
3
as in beam

Related Words
4
as in stab

Related Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb stick contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of stick are adhere, cleave, cling, and cohere. While all these words mean "to become closely attached," stick implies attachment by affixing or by being glued together.

couldn't get the label to stick

When would adhere be a good substitute for stick?

While in some cases nearly identical to stick, adhere is often interchangeable with stick but sometimes implies a growing together.

antibodies adhering to a virus

When is cleave a more appropriate choice than stick?

While the synonyms cleave and stick are close in meaning, cleave stresses strength of attachment.

the wet shirt cleaved to his back

In what contexts can cling take the place of stick?

The meanings of cling and stick largely overlap; however, cling implies attachment by hanging on with arms or tendrils.

clinging to a capsized boat

When might cohere be a better fit than stick?

In some situations, the words cohere and stick are roughly equivalent. However, cohere suggests a sticking together of parts so that they form a unified mass.

eggs will make the mixture cohere

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 stick
Verb
Not to mention, the benefits stuck without longterm monitoring. —Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 12 May 2026 The teenagers stick their heads outside the car to get a better look. —Natalie Escobar, NPR, 12 May 2026
Noun
Use a deterrent such as a stout stick. —Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 13 May 2026 Trump has wielded the ceasefire as a carrot and stick, issuing peace overtures one day and threats the next day, all in an attempt to get an upper hand in the negotiations. —Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 12 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for stick
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stick
  1. adhere
  2. put
  3. stab
  4. squeeze
  5. finger
  6. clam
  7. beam
  8. push
Verb
  • Add the remaining toast slices, pressing gently to adhere.
    — Midwest Living, Midwest Living, 15 May 2026
  • But for the Christmas-week slate, when six of the 16 games were distributed via a premium platform, the league adheres closely to that 87% free model.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 11 May 2026
Definition of adhere
Verb
  • Her team quickly put together a plan to help coördinate repairs, secure new electrical generators, implement a triage system, and organize trainings for staff.
    — Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 15 May 2026
  • The Bengals, who at one point trailed 6-1, put the game on ice with eight runs in the bottom of the sixth.
    — Tony Baranek, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2026
Definition of put
Verb
  • Three people were stabbed on a Rhode Island beach Tuesday as hundreds of teenagers packed the area, forcing beachgoers to flee.
    — Louis Casiano , Brooke Taylor, FOXNews.com, 20 May 2026
  • The family's dog then came to protect the family, and Vigneau allegedly stabbed the dog twice in the mouth area, prosecutors say.
    — Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 19 May 2026
Definition of stab
Verb
  • On the Right, Israel is being squeezed by a smaller faction of the Make America Great Again movement that wants to pare back all American foreign aid.
    — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 16 May 2026
  • Gas prices are continuing to squeeze drivers at the pump.
    — Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2026
Definition of squeeze
Noun
  • Here, the oyster clamped swiftly shut, pinching Yara’s finger.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 May 2026
  • Messi seemed to scold La Familia at one point with a finger wag aimed in their direction, showing his displeasure with their protest.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 18 May 2026
Definition of finger
Noun
  • There’s a raw bar with oysters, ceviche and the Seafood Colosseum with oysters, lobster, mussels, clams and the ceviche of the day with caviar.
    — Connie Ogle May 15, Miami Herald, 15 May 2026
  • Besides the clam chowder, make sure to order the Big Dean’s Cheeseburger, which is a double meat and double cheese monster, and the menu also includes a seriously good chili dog.
    — Richard Guzman, Daily News, 13 May 2026
Definition of clam
Noun
  • It was designed in such a way that it would be comprised of six lattice-like beams, which were prestressed end-to-end.
    — Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 16 May 2026
  • Western automakers have spent years trickling pixel-headlight features out cautiously, partly because regulations in markets like the US have historically been slow to allow adaptive driving beams in the first place.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 May 2026
Definition of beam
Noun
  • The Bluey debut is part of the resort’s Cool Kids’ Summer promotional push.
    — Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 May 2026
  • Like Cuba itself, the diplomatic push was on the brink of collapse.
    — Rick Jervis, USA Today, 13 May 2026
Definition of push

Phrases Containing stick

Browse Nearby Words

stews
stick
stick around
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stick. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on stick

Nglish: Translation of stick for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stick

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of cordial

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Regarding the Incorrect Use of 'Decimate'

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Financial Words With Surprising Origins

Strange Words for Body Functions

Where does 'curiosity killed the cat' come from?

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

How long is a jiffy?
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

9 Financial Words With Surprising Origins

Strange Words for Body Functions
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
roulette-wheel-thirteen
13-Letter Word Quiz Thirteen words, thirteen letters each. It’s you...
See All