1
as in imitative
using or marked by the use of something else as a basis or model
there's a canned quality to the screenplay that reminds you of countless other action movies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in drunk
slang
being under the influence of alcohol
Driving home on New Year's Eve, she worried about other drivers who might be canned.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in stopped
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dismissed
to let go from office, service, or employment
the cashier was summarily canned for stealing from the registers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 canned
Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Pantry staples such as bread, cereal, rice and pasta are also still eligible, along with canned and frozen foods.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026
Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026
People typically receive boxed and canned goods and fresh produce.
—Pomerado News, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for canned
Adjective
Things to do in April Uncorked Wine Festival The seventh annual Uncorked Wine Festival returns to Scottsdale, offering a chance to sample over 100 wines and bubblies from around the world, along with seltzers and canned cocktails.
—Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Pantry staples such as bread, cereal, rice and pasta are also still eligible, along with canned and frozen foods.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
Dallas canned Pete DeBoer last June after three straight losses in the conference finals and a 149-68-29 record during the regular season.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026
People typically receive boxed and canned goods and fresh produce.
—Pomerado News, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for canned
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canned
Adjective
-
Since then, whenever new tools to crank out communications have become available, somebody has flooded the zone with the fastest, most imitative material that could garner attention.—
Deni Ellis Béchard,
Scientific American,
8 Nov. 2025
-
It may be borrowed or coined, named after a person, inspired by a place or imitative of a sound.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Those who are caught routinely speeding in school zones are not any less dangerous than those who drive drunk.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Ward had previously spent two days in jail after suffocating her 2-month-old son while drunk and high.—
Robert McGreevy,
FOXNews.com,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In a preliminary injunction, Judge Robert Pitman stopped short of ordering a temporary air conditioning remedy.—
Leigh Waldman,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Swayman stopped the puck but had to freeze it for a defensive-zone faceoff.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Red Sox had never fired a manger in-season since John Henry purchased the team in 2002, and throughout the franchise’s existence no manager had ever been dismissed midseason so early in the campaign.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Last year, dozens of experts who provided independent evaluations for biomedical research were dismissed from National Institute of Health science review boards.—
National Correspondent,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Most were held at church, which meant the price of fried fish was often sitting through an extended sermon led by a long-winded pastor.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Can’t choose between fried or scrambled eggs?—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Williams promised an investigation but ceased communications.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Rodent issues at Angel Stadium had ceased since a 2007 report in The Times that the stadium had been cited 118 times for vermin violations in the previous two years.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The plane returned to the gate and the passenger was removed, according to Delta, which apologized to customers for the experience and delay.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Items of value, particularly smaller things that could be easily removed or concealed, should always be carried in person or within carry-on bags.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Jaxon’s foster mother pleaded no contest in 2014 to felony child endangerment after drunken driving with her 1-year-old daughter in the back seat.—
Julia Prodis Sulek,
Mercury News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Screenwriter Jeremy Robbins sets up what appears to be a potential threat in a creepy kangaroo hunter (Matt Whelan) and his drunken mate (Rob Carlton), whose names alone, Diesel and Ripper, carry a hint of menace.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Canned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canned. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
