hook 1 of 2

noun

ˈhu̇k How to pronounce hook (audio)
Definition of hooknext
as in blow
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument delivered a hard right hook that struck his opponent in the eye

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hook

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to bend
to cause to turn away from a straight line the pitcher hooked the ball, and the batter missed

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to connect
to put or bring together so as to form a new and longer whole hooked up three short chains together to make a longer necklace

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3
as in to steal
to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep the monkey hooked four bananas from the basket and scampered away to enjoy them

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4
as in to grab
to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly I hooked the biggest fish of the day, and then released it

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5
as in to curve
to turn away from a straight line or course hang the bird feeder on a branch that hooks upward

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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 hook
Noun
Eyes ruptured by knives, fireworks, bungee cords, windshields, beer bottles, sticks, rocks, fish hooks, and more. — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 3 Nov. 2026 The glasses securely snap into place on a hook that aligns the charging pins in the case with the tiny contacts on the underside of the nose bridge. — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 3 Nov. 2026
Verb
They’re built for vertical screens and designed to hook viewers in the first few seconds. — Phoena Pang, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026 In 1836, Charles Dickens hooked the good people of England on a story about a traveling men’s group. — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 30 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hook
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hook
  1. blow
  2. bend
  3. connect
  4. steal
  5. grab
  6. curve
  7. slap
  8. arch
Noun
  • Toney is one of the leaders on the team, so losing him before the biggest game of the regular season was a tough blow.
    — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2026
  • While the announcement doesn’t guarantee that Eisenkot will be the next prime minister, Herzog’s decision is another blow to Netanyahu, who lost his parliamentary majority in the election.
    — Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of blow
Verb
  • The 9th District covers the Far North Side of Chicago up to the North Shore and then bends sharply west to Crystal Lake and Algonquin.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The floppy chains bend and stretch to reach nearby partners as opposite charges attract.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of bend
Verb
  • The virtual model is then connected to its physical counterpart through sensors and data systems.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2026
  • In the future, the creators hope to expand the range of accessories that could potentially be connected to the TobenONE system through additional magnetic modules.
    — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of connect
Verb
  • Prosecutors said Sherman, from September 2015 through May 2025, stole nearly $18 million from her employer to pay off her extravagant credit card expenses.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The denial comes as blockchain analytics firms trace billions of dollars in cryptocurrency stolen from Binance through thousands of wallets across multiple blockchains.
    — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of steal
Verb
  • In a separate incident Sunday, Basabe flagged down police to report that a parking garage employee grabbed and threw his phone to the ground, the report shows.
    — Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Testing spoons stored in a manner where lip contact surface contamination could happen when employee grabs the spoon from container.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of grab
Verb
  • Here, at the lonely eastern edge of Polynesia, the empty horizon seems to curve with the Earth itself.
    — Mark Johanson, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2026
  • No-brainer options included handsome denims with a curving leg and neo-suiting playing on mixing rather than matching sets.
    — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of curve
Noun
  • Communicating entirely through percussive movements and sounds and enough slaps to make the Three Stooges envious, the wild-haired creatures mainly seem to be auditioning for their own big-screen spin-off to compete with the Minions.
    — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 3 Nov. 2026
  • During initial ride tests, mechanical chain slap and drivetrain vibrations echoed loudly through the structure, creating a persistent clattering that detracts from any quiet ride through nature.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of slap
Verb
  • The painting is commanded by an umbrella pine, which arches high into the butter-yellow heavens, on the right, leaning over the heart of the composition.
    — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2026
  • The work consists of a transparent female figure, sculpted with her back arched in a bridge position and filled halfway with water.
    — Shanti Escalante-De Mattei, ARTnews.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of arch

Phrases Containing hook

Browse Nearby Words

hoo-has
hook
hooked
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Cite this Entry

“Hook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hook. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

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