haymaker

noun

hay·​mak·​er ˈhā-ˌmā-kər How to pronounce haymaker (audio)
: a powerful blow

Examples of haymaker in a Sentence

He was knocked down by a haymaker to his jaw. dealt his opponent a haymaker that sent him reeling across the boxing ring
Recent Examples on the Web Instead, Dallas shut Golden State down, blitzing them for a 16-4 haymaker. Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2024 The outlook for Boeing and its stock Here’s why the possibility of a new DOJ haymaker is especially concerning: Despite all the other regulatory woes and 737 production limits, Boeing’s financial fortunes appeared on the upswing. Shawn Tully, Fortune, 4 Mar. 2024 Paxton’s purge attempt is part of a wild brawl engulfing the state’s dominant political party, where the attacks are blunt and the haymakers personal. Jim Vertuno, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2024 The Aztecs could not punch them drunk, no matter how many haymakers landed. Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2024 His first loss at USC, almost exactly one year ago, hit Caleb Williams like an emotional haymaker. Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2023 Texas’ Steve Sarkisian talked prior to Saturday’s 34-24 win at No. 3 Alabama about standing in the middle of the ring and throwing haymakers. Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, 9 Sep. 2023 There are a number of gut-punch moments in this tale of a man fighting for his legacy and his soul, but the haymaker comes courtesy of Matt Damon’s Major General Leslie Groves, who Oppenheimer asks to think about the responsibility of using this weapon on an enemy population. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 22 July 2023 The Wolverines hit the overmatched Hawkeyes with one haymaker after another during a relentless pummeling that ended with its first conference championship since 2004. Rainer Sabin, Detroit Free Press, 18 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'haymaker.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of haymaker was in 1902

Dictionary Entries Near haymaker

Cite this Entry

“Haymaker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/haymaker. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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