CAN Synonyms: 237 Similar and Opposite Words

can 1 of 2

verb

ˈkan

Definition of can

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

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

can

2 of 2

noun

ˈkan

as in tin

a metal container in the shape of a cylinder the shelter stores huge cans of water for an emergency

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

outside

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

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

Noun

The facility had dented cans of olives, tomato sauce and artichokes. — Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Pysher says his son was drunk but unarmed, carrying only his cellphone and a backpack containing overnight clothes and a few warm cans of beer. — Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026 Bottle caps took the third spot on the list, followed by just over 840,000 beverage cans collected and over 809,000 food wrappers (including things like chip bags and candy wrappers). — Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 26 Aug. 2026 That reduction in purchases is equivalent to a person buying 34 fewer 12-ounce cans a year, the study notes. — Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for can

Recent Examples of Synonyms for can

Verb

And, there are lots of studies out there that show many in my generation have stopped believing in the promise of the American Dream.

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026
His government has implemented policies that slow energy permitting and development, canceled billions in grants for hundreds of clean energy projects and spent nearly $4 billion to buy back leases to stop offshore wind projects.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of stop

Verb

In sick bay, M’Benga tries to remove the table and end his life so Chapel can give up on him, an effort that proves futile.

— Keith Phipps, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
Though your home may have its share of appliances, mail, mugs, or anything else that lives on your countertops daily, they should be removed before listing.

— Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of remove

Noun

In stories centered on objects ranging from a button to a tin soldier, young authors recognize the it-narrative’s potential not only for amusement but for showcasing the power of the small and marginal.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026
The morning following the storm, co-owner James Durawa told WISN 12 News that a tree pierced part of the restaurant's tin roof and would cost about $18,000 to remove.

— Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of tin

Noun

Matus’ death took place at the height of the fentanyl epidemic in 2022, when Riverside County jails experienced close to 100 inmate drug overdoses, seven of which resulted in death, according to court documents.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
In 2025, a Kentucky man was killed after he was hit 27 times with a GLOVE by jail employees, on top of 13 jabs from a taser, which ultimately sent him into cardiac arrest.

— Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of jail

Noun

There is seating in and around the splash pad, including picnic tables and pavilions, as well as restrooms and outdoor showers, according to the release.

— Christina Hall, Freep.com, 29 Aug. 2026
This might sound like some kind of punishment or endurance challenge today, but in Ancient Rome this was just a standard public restroom.

— Andrew Coletti, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of restroom

Verb

The idea is to pressure Iran's hardline leadership enough that they are forced to come back to the negotiating table and/or cease aggression around the Strait of Hormuz.

— Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
The one issue that could have been a distraction — Daniels’ attorney sent a cease-and-desist letter to LSU in an effort to get the school to stop using Daniels’ name, image and likeness — appears not to have rattled the quarterback.

— Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of cease

Verb

On Wednesday, lawyers for Gomez filed a motion to dismiss the artist from the suit, and said she should have never been dragged into the case in the first place.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2026
El-Sayed dismissed a potential fundraising gap in the race, which could occur if donors were pushed towards Rogers or if outside groups like AIPAC intervened on Rogers’ behalf.

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of dismiss

Browse Nearby Words

campy

can

can't-miss

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Articles Related to can

Cite this Entry

Style

“Can.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/can. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of can

verb

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

‘Cannot’ vs. ‘Can Not’: Is...

Kicking It with 'Kick the Can Down the...

'Can' vs. 'May'

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