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
In which case, who is ultimately on the hook to compensate any victims? — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026 His lyrics, his hooks, his unmistakable voice, his optimism, his belief in the power of a simple song to make people feel good. — Chris Willman, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Verb
Chrysalis hooks its clients up with social services and teaches them how to write a resume, navigate online job listings and handle an interview. — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026 Paxton has been suing Big Tech, alleging the companies hook youth on their apps or don't restrict sensitive videos from being viewed by kids. — Darius Tahir, CBS News, 8 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
  • Now, in yet another blow to national self-esteem, the ex-head of Germany’s foreign intelligence agency, the BND, has been arrested on charges of exploiting state secrets.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The pro-Western opposition parties won big Saturday in the Czech Republic’s vote to fill one-third of the seats in Parliament’s upper house, the Senate, handing a blow to the ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of blow
Verb
  • The team plans to investigate three-dimensional structures that could support more complex movements, including bending, twisting, and shearing.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Dark matter also seems to warp space itself, bending light around objects in a process known as gravitational lensing.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of bend
Verb
  • Barnett hits first 3-point attempt Luke Barnett, who has arrived at KU with a reputation as an excellent 3- point shooter, connected on his first 3-point try shortly after checking in at the 15-minute mark of the first half.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026
  • But multiple times a date has admitted using AI to learn details about the show without having seen it, just to connect.
    — Sneha Dhandapani, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of connect
Verb
  • Video on social media showed distressed shopkeepers begging young men to stop stealing their inventory—and those young men pushing them aside to grab shoes and food from their shelves.
    — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The response comes as the French government increases scrutiny of online marketplaces following reports that goods stolen during Saturday’s unrest were being offered for sale online.
    — Sadie Andrew, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of steal
Verb
  • Video on social media showed distressed shopkeepers begging young men to stop stealing their inventory—and those young men pushing them aside to grab shoes and food from their shelves.
    — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
  • One 10-year-old girl, crying and trying to hug her father, was allegedly grabbed by the neck by law enforcement, according to the lawsuit.
    — Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of grab
Verb
  • Animators studied ostriches before feeding their digital movement curves into a six-axis mechanical rig carrying the performers.
    — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The tangle of stubby points stood out like overgrown thumbs, and the down-curving prongs on either side of his head were at least a foot long.
    — Al Dawson, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of curve
Noun
  • Chmerkovskiy has since apologized for his comments referencing Will Smith’s infamous slap at the 2022 Oscars.
    — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of slap
Verb
  • But try to go back the other way, the doorway is rectangular rather than arched.
    — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • There is an intentional yawning gap in the floor leading to the basement, and nearly half the building is an open void crisscrossed by arching beams.
    — Tim Hornyak, New York Times, 14 Oct. 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 22 Oct. 2026.

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