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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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
The beach itself is worth venturing to even for a day visit, but staying on this peaceful, postcard-perfect cove had me—pardon the nautical pun— falling hook, line, and sinker for Milos. — Callie Thorpe, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026 But the overall premise of it and the big hook of it are still the same. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
Verb
After heading away from land, Polo was forecast to hook back toward Mexico's coast further north on Saturday. — Megan Janetsky, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026 The jury in that case found that YouTube and Meta designed their platforms to hook young users without concern for their well-being. — ABC News, 25 Sep. 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
  • For now, better wheat and barley crops in Canada, Australia and Argentina, along with good harvests in the Middle East and North Africa, are cushioning the blow.
    — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Then, after weeks of sit-ins and marches, Dharmendra Pradhan, the education minister, stepped down, a rare blow to Modi’s government, and one that more established opposition parties had been unable to land.
    — Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of blow
Verb
  • Her son, Gabe Smith, described his mother as tempered, tender and tough — someone who could bend and not break.
    — Ashley Sharp, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Centuries later, Art Nouveau revived nature’s patterns once again, bending iron and glass into curling stems and petals.
    — Kieron Marchese, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of bend
Verb
  • Join her for forest bathing or connecting with the Island’s ancient trees.
    — Adrienne Matei, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Awe Inspired cofounder and chief executive officer Max Johnson first connected with Wilson after the model wore one of the brand’s necklaces to a Teen Vogue summit.
    — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of connect
Verb
  • Pike committed the crime over an intense romantic jealousy of Slemmer, who allegedly attempted to steal her boyfriend’s attention.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Related Articles The paintings, Portrait of Madame Colonna Romano and Femme au puits (Woman at the Well), were stolen from the Musée Renoir in Cagnes-sur-Mer on September 8.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of steal
Verb
  • Ditto for the reinterpretation of thong sandals that grabbed attention at Givenchy and Jean Paul Gaultier, or the clear vinyl-like styles seen at Balenciaga, Chloé, Simone Rocha, Stella McCartney and Moschino, among others.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Mel Ismail, a 56-year-old father, was rescued by another surfer who just happened to show up at the beach and was willing to risk his own life by grabbing his board and heading towards the bloody water.
    — Sean Joseph OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of grab
Verb
  • The space seamlessly flows into a dining area and a custom kitchen outfitted with curving cabinetry, stainless steel shelving, Caesarstone countertops, a contoured island, and a breakfast nook.
    — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Designed by Behar Font & Partners, the building’s curving silhouette and glass façade evoke the slender form of a tulip blossom.
    — Kieron Marchese, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of curve
Noun
  • The Wild, who have played all season without first-pair defenseman Brock Faber due to a skull fracture, lost forward Nico Sturm in the first period when he was hit on the side of the head by teammate Jared Spurgeon's slap shot.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • But, with seconds left on the clock, Patel wanted to get in one last slap shot.
    — Richie McGinniss, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of slap
Verb
  • Terracotta tiles are at his feet; behind him is a gnarled pine tree, arching toward the sea.
    — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Its initial trajectory after stage separation will put the spacecraft on the same course as previous flights, arching toward a reentry and splashdown in the Indian Ocean.
    — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of arch

Phrases Containing hook

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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 14 Oct. 2026.

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