1
as in adhering
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 putting
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 stabbing
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 squeezing
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sticking
Some sounds could indicate structural changes, so keep an eye on wall cracks and look out for sticking doors and windows.
—
Jessica Elliott, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
The goal was to give the family’s embryo—Guojun’s sperm and an anonymous donor’s egg—the best odds of sticking during the transfer, which was scheduled for July at Western Fertility Institute, a clinic in Los Angeles.
—Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Lining them with parchment will prevent sticking and guarantee an easy cleanup.
—Martha Stewart, 9 Feb. 2026
If your pan isn't lined, preheating can also naturally prevent sticking.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2026
It’s long been assumed that legislative actions have more sticking power than executive ones.
—Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 5 Feb. 2026
Game director Cary Trzcinski made sure emotions did not boil over and lead to a melee, sticking his thick body and fierce game face into one brewing moment in the second half.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 1 Feb. 2026
The network quickly moved to censor a transgressive sitcom parody where soon-to-be-Ramones-manager Danny Fields tries to cure a TV repairman’s hemorrhoids by sticking a lightbulb up his ass.
—Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 24 Jan. 2026
Hamnet from Focus Features is sticking at around 1,900 theaters and the distributor’s Song Sung Blue at about 1,100.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 23 Jan. 2026
Jessica Elliott, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
The goal was to give the family’s embryo—Guojun’s sperm and an anonymous donor’s egg—the best odds of sticking during the transfer, which was scheduled for July at Western Fertility Institute, a clinic in Los Angeles.
—Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Lining them with parchment will prevent sticking and guarantee an easy cleanup.
—Martha Stewart, 9 Feb. 2026
If your pan isn't lined, preheating can also naturally prevent sticking.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2026
It’s long been assumed that legislative actions have more sticking power than executive ones.
—Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 5 Feb. 2026
Game director Cary Trzcinski made sure emotions did not boil over and lead to a melee, sticking his thick body and fierce game face into one brewing moment in the second half.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 1 Feb. 2026
The network quickly moved to censor a transgressive sitcom parody where soon-to-be-Ramones-manager Danny Fields tries to cure a TV repairman’s hemorrhoids by sticking a lightbulb up his ass.
—Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 24 Jan. 2026
Hamnet from Focus Features is sticking at around 1,900 theaters and the distributor’s Song Sung Blue at about 1,100.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 23 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sticking
Verb
-
Homeowners should avoid painting the exterior of their home if the temperature or humidity is expected to fluctuate significantly, as this could leave bubbles or prevent the paint from adhering properly.—
Timothy Dale,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The research team claimed that their innovation involves applying a specialized coating to critical components to prevent hydrogen bubbles from adhering, thereby enabling smoother hydrogen release.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Councilmember Monica Rodriguez voted against the measure, arguing the council had not done its job to reduce spending elsewhere before putting taxes on the ballot.—
Sandra McDonald,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The goal is to engage kids in learning about history and civic engagement while putting them on a path to potentially work in the music industry, said the department’s Chief Academic Officer Irene Parisi.—
Theo Peck-Suzuki,
Hartford Courant,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Mohammed Ahmad Hussein al-Halsi was sentenced in 2016 to 18 years behind bars for stabbing elderly women.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Another Jefferson County circuit judge, Jessica Green, last year drew local and national criticism after granting shock probation to a 32-year-old man accused of abducting a mother and two children and stabbing the mother during a bank robbery.—
Monroe Trombly,
Louisville Courier Journal,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The solar sector has been grappling with a prolonged price slump and oversupply, squeezing margins even as leading producers continue to add capacity.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
4 Feb. 2026
-
For generations, Americans who wanted orange juice without the work of squeezing fresh fruit cracked open a can and watched a cylinder of frozen juice go ker-plunk into a pitcher.—
Dee-Ann Durbin,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Once the dominant narrative of the post-pandemic market, the group of homeowners clinging to rates below 3% is shrinking.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Keep the Feeder Clean Keeping your hummingbird feeder clean, so that no liquid food is clinging to the surface, is a good way to deter ants (and other bugs like bees) from being attracted to it.—
Peg Aloi,
The Spruce,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The cells achieve an energy density of up to 175 Wh/kg, placing them broadly in line with lithium iron phosphate batteries and positioning them for practical, near-term use rather than experimental niches, reports InsideEVs.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
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Sports betting includes placing wagers at physical locations like casinos and retail sportsbooks, while online sports betting allows bettors to place bets anytime through websites or mobile apps.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
That’s impressive for a rebuilding team, but is anyone picking the Ducks over the Oilers in a playoff series?—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Only Nick Brinkerhoff is picking the Seahawks to win in blowout fashion, by a score of 34-17.—
Jacob Camenker,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
According to its website, Butcher & Singer is an homage to the glitz and class of 1940s Hollywood, reaching into the past, plucking the best and brightest aspects of a bygone era.—
Courtney Cherry,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The Bills scooped up a second Broncos assistant in as many days, plucking Jim Leonhard to lead Joe Brady’s defense.—
Torrey Hart,
New York Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sticking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sticking. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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