as in to hit
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
an overhead branch suddenly fell and bonked him on the head
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bonk
Stelton wrote that the short-term chance of an eruption is akin to the probability of getting bonked in the head by a baseball — while standing outside a major league stadium.
—
Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 3 Jan. 2025
Miss Manners cannot entirely guarantee, however, that your finger will not bonk your nose instead — particularly after the second or third old-fashioned.
—Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 2 Aug. 2024
In a split second, Jaden decided to one-up Carolyn’s cruelty and bonked her in the head repeatedly with the fire poker.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 24 July 2024
An argument ensues between two of the officials that ends when the not-quite-dead man gets bonked on the head with a mace.
—David Plazas, The Tennessean, 17 Apr. 2024
See All Example Sentences for bonk
Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 3 Jan. 2025
Miss Manners cannot entirely guarantee, however, that your finger will not bonk your nose instead — particularly after the second or third old-fashioned.
—Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 2 Aug. 2024
In a split second, Jaden decided to one-up Carolyn’s cruelty and bonked her in the head repeatedly with the fire poker.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 24 July 2024
An argument ensues between two of the officials that ends when the not-quite-dead man gets bonked on the head with a mace.
—David Plazas, The Tennessean, 17 Apr. 2024
See All Example Sentences for bonk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bonk
Verb
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The newer versions can hit stationary and moving targets at sea.—
Gary Robbins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Sep. 2025
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His termination notice came just over a week after reporting he had been hit by a car while on duty.—
Andi Babineau,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Below is the lead paragraph of the Daily Mail’s story, which Dua Lipa smacked down in an Instagram Stories post days later.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Sep. 2025
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Really, there’s only one character onstage who commands an audience’s attention, and that’s Hines’ gum-smacking sister-in-law, who turns from antagonist to supporter.—
Rob Hubbard,
Twin Cities,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In a video posted just days before the competition started, Richter gets his butt slapped by his mentor.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
30 Sep. 2025
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The investigation, which includes an anti-dumping probe, comes just days after Mexican authorities slapped duties on an array of Chinese imports from textiles to steel and automotive parts.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Upon hearing the officers knock on the window, Jeremy unlocked the SUV and got out.—
KC Baker,
PEOPLE,
25 Sep. 2025
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Even 6 inches of swiftly moving water can forcefully knock you off your feet.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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And no need to worry about cookies sticking to the baking sheet or having to bang the muffin tin against the counter to pop them out.—
Francesca Krempa,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
25 Sep. 2025
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In a trial that began Wednesday, six Cubans, including independent journalist José Gabriel Barrenechea, also face sentences of up to nine years in prison for staging a cacerolazo protest, banging pots and pans during a blackout in the Villa Clara province in November 2024.—
Nora Gamez Torres,
Miami Herald,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Bubba purposefully knocks a girl down with a dodgeball, and when Mary tells him to stop being mean, Bubba punches her.—
Victoria Edel,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
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While they were lined up, members put on boxing gloves and took turns punching the pledges four times in the chest, according to the petition.—
Jennifer Rodriguez,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Riley Greene whacked a 96-mph fastball that snuck over the right-field fence for Detroit’s second run.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
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Cal thumped the Beavers, whacked Texas Southern and outlasted Minnesota.—
Jon Wilner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Wearing a yellow fringed dress, Jauregui spun and shook her hips alongside a safety vest-wearing Armstrong, ending the performance by quick-stepping over to the cocktail table, where her bandmates and Bankhead were smiling and clapping in celebration.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
1 Oct. 2025
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But as he was carted off the field, the 31-year-old clapped his hands to acknowledge the crowd and smiled widely.—
Anna Lazarus Caplan,
PEOPLE,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bonk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bonk. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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