STICK Synonyms: 219 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

stick 1 of 2

verb

Definition of stick

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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

as in finger

Related Words

as in clam

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Dissimilar Words

as in beam

Related Words

as in stab

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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

If your systems don’t reinforce your culture, your culture won’t stick. — Tom Ulbrich, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026 That essential bargain stuck for 60 years, helping secure both the United States and Europe and preventing nuclear proliferation. — Ivo H. Daalder, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2026

Noun

The beloved Southern breakfast chain is known for staying open through severe weather and often is a measuring stick of a storm's severity. — Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026 Patel whiffed a shot attempt at the blue line, swinging his stick wildly. — Richie McGinniss, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stick

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stick

Verb

As such, the press is not allowed to publish details that might lead to any of the accusers being identified, and coverage of the trial will adhere strictly to what happens in court.

— Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2026
Top with reserved hazelnuts and press in gently to adhere (surface will be smothered with nuts).

— Tanya Bush, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of adhere

Verb

The blaze sparked evacuation orders for the Encinal Canyon area near Trancas Canyon and put a larger swath of Malibu under an evacuation warning.

— Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
The Rays need a win here to tie up the series, and the Guardians want a win to put Tampa Bay’s back against the wall.

— OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of put

Verb

In the narrative to has unfolded from authorities and passenger accounts, Machchhar had the presence of mind to open the locked door of the cockpit after he was stabbed.

— Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
Two men accused of stabbing an off-duty NYPD detective pleaded not guilty in court Wednesday.

— Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of stab

Verb

Meta squeezes two independent light-guiding cores into a single standard glass strand to double its bandwidth.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2026
Fuel expenses are squeezing daily household budgets and tightening cash flow toward the end of the month, with reports indicating a growing number of French employees are requesting payroll advances to manage month end expenses.

— , CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of squeeze

Noun

Recently, Hurley was spotted wearing a large diamond on that finger, suggesting the couple has taken their pairing to the next level—a rumor fueled by a post to Instagram published by Cyrus Friday that was capped by the engagement ring emoji.

— Chiara Pizzimenti, Vanity Fair, 17 Oct. 2026
But the scene was quite different at the museum in Florence that houses Galileo’s finger.

— Jeanne Bonner, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of finger

Noun

Blue crabs and crawfish are sourced from Louisiana, while shellfish such as oysters, Manila clams and cherrystone clams arrive from waters stretching from the East Coast to Asia.

— Sara Rosenthal, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2026
Unlike the traditional baked dish of littlenecks stuffed with bacon and breadcrumbs, Jimmy’s version comes as a bowl of thumbnail-sized Manila clams tossed with guanciale, compound butter and breadcrumbs.

— Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of clam

Noun

One mirror focused the X-rays vertically, while the other focused them horizontally, concentrating the beam into a spot measuring just 180 × 330 nanometers.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Meanwhile, Mickelson noted that every ceiling in the theater is different — a coffered ceiling with hexagonal panels gives way to plaster beams designed and painted to look like wood.

— Adam Harrington, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of beam

Noun

The push to shorten Atlas build times comes as humanoid robotics companies increasingly focus on manufacturing scale.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
The espresso itself, brewed with the push of a button in about 35 seconds, tastes pleasantly complex and features a satisfyingly heady layer of crema.

— Sal Vaglica, Time, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of push

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stews

stick

stick around

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“Stick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stick. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of stick

verb

noun

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Synonyms of stick

verb

noun

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Phrases Containing stick

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Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on stick

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