1
as in to stop
slang
to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end
can the chatter, or I'm kicking you out of this library
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to remove
to let go from office, service, or employment
the cashier was summarily canned for stealing from the registers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in jail
a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody
the racketeers were rounded up and thrown in the can
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in restroom
a room furnished with a fixture for flushing body waste
I excused myself and asked if I could use the can
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in seat
the part of the body upon which someone sits
he fell on the ice and landed on his can
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 can
Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 21 Feb. 2025
Her small business, launched at the end of 2022, uses steel cans for its soups and beans.
—Joe Hernandez, NPR, 20 Feb. 2025
How to use it: Place a sieve over a bowl and drain a can of chickpeas into it.
—Audrey Bruno, SELF, 20 Feb. 2025
Hunger and thirst then became the only obstacles to overcome, but soda cans aren’t working properly.
—Issy Van Der Velde, Rolling Stone, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for can
Noun
Seven cans of tomatoes had large dents, some in the mid-seam of the cans.
Utensils and other kitchenware were stored in a cabinet with the facility’s breaker box.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 21 Feb. 2025
Her small business, launched at the end of 2022, uses steel cans for its soups and beans.
—Joe Hernandez, NPR, 20 Feb. 2025
How to use it: Place a sieve over a bowl and drain a can of chickpeas into it.
—Audrey Bruno, SELF, 20 Feb. 2025
Hunger and thirst then became the only obstacles to overcome, but soda cans aren’t working properly.
—Issy Van Der Velde, Rolling Stone, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for can
Recent Examples of Synonyms for can
Verb
-
That hasn't stopped the Trump administration from making some bold claims.—
Joel Rose,
NPR,
1 Mar. 2025
-
The deputy had stopped Huttle, 42, of Hobart for driving 70 mph in a 55 mph zone.—
Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports,
arkansasonline.com,
1 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The fossil fuel industry, which includes petrochemical manufacturers, donated heavily to Mr. Trump, who campaigned on a pledge to remove regulations that add to their costs.—
Lisa Friedman,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2025
-
The survey found that 57 percent are unaware that these screenings can prevent colorectal cancer by removing precancerous polyps.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
Newsweek,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The wines ferment in 400-liter French oak barrels to build texture and complexity.—
Lauren Mowery,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
-
In Banksy’s version, the maid is replaced by two men wearing hazmat suits and pushing a barrel of toxic waste.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Denver Broncos linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite was arrested in Denver on a charge of second-degree assault on a peace officer on Sunday, jail records showed.—
Ryan Gaydos,
Fox News,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Last June, surveillance footage of Chop fighting a man in jail leaked.—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
President Donald Trump and his allies have taken aim at transgender rights in particular by seeking to ban transgender women from participating in women's sports or using women's restrooms and by barring transgender people from serving in the U.S. military.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
Newsweek,
26 Feb. 2025
-
Instead, when a seat mate gets up, use that as an opportunity to use the restroom and stretch your legs.—
Rebecca Deurlein,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
In this foredeck area, sunbeds on both sides are paired with flip-up seats at the bases.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
24 Feb. 2025
-
And pay attention to how your seat movements affect others.—
Rebecca Deurlein,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The turmoil that enveloped the federal workforce over the last few days is unlikely to cease anytime soon as the U.S. government’s human resources agency considers how to fulfill Elon Musk ’s demands.—
Chris Megerian,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Feb. 2025
-
The news many in the film sector feared over the weekend is coming to pass as Technicolor has made the majority of its UK workforce redundant and the majority of its activities have ceased.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
But in dismissing the lawsuit to arbitration last December, Clarke wasn’t moved by the Knicks’ arguments.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
2 Mar. 2025
-
Sassoon’s resignation was followed by additional resignations and firings of other Justice Department lawyers who also refused to assist in dismissing the indictment.—
Nick Akerman,
New York Daily News,
2 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Can.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/can. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share