stick

noun

1
threat of a penalty
the policy so far is all stick and no carrot
2
marijuana leaves rolled into a cigarette for smoking
3
an implement consisting of a length of wood
he collected dry sticks for a campfire
the kid had a candied apple on a stick
4
a long thin implement resembling a length of wood
cinnamon sticks
a stick of dynamite
5
a lever used by a pilot to control the ailerons and elevators of an airplane
6
a long implement (usually made of wood) that is shaped so that hockey or polo players can hit a puck or ball
7
informal terms for the leg
fever left him weak on his sticks
8
a rectangular quarter pound block of butter or margarine
9
a small thin branch of a tree

1
be a mystery or bewildering to
This beats me!
Got me--I don't know the answer!
2
saddle with something disagreeable or disadvantageous
They stuck me with the dinner bill
I was stung with a huge tax bill
3
come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
The dress clings to her body
The label stuck to the box

Also useful for “stick”:Wordle Solver— Five letters — perfect Wordle material