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
Plumbing and electrical requirements Air tubs and whirlpool tubs often use more water than regular tubs and may require special plumbing hook-ups and drains. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 29 July 2026 The Florida Georgia Line singer found himself in a painful predicament during a recent four-day camping trip when a fish hook got lodged in his scalp, forcing his wife, Hayley, to perform some backwoods surgery. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2026
Verb
Those players will hook their trading terminals to whichever feed is most accurate. — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 6 Aug. 2026 These platforms are designed to get users hooked because their business models depend on maximizing engagement. — Bryce Jenkins, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 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
  • The injury to Tunsil, 32, is a major blow to the Commanders’ hopes of a bounce-back season in 2026.
    — Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Rodri's move to Barcelona is a significant blow for Madrid, who have struggled for midfield control since Kroos and Modric departed, and have been trophyless while Barcelona dominated domestically.
    — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of blow
Verb
  • Bulwer’s longest sentences bend to fit into her narrow cotton margins.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The American Academy of Pediatrics also recommends teaching children to pick up and carry backpacks safely, including bending at the knees rather than the waist when lifting heavier bags to avoid strain.
    — Cheyanne Mumphrey, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of bend
Verb
  • Damianos also hailed the entry of French investment company Meridiam as a backer to the Great Seas Interconnector project, an electricity cable that will connect Europe’s power grid with that of Cyprus and eventually Israel.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
  • One of those shell casings was entered into the ATF’s National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN), which compares shell casings and other evidence and connects them to shootings involving the same firearm.
    — Mark Morales, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of connect
Verb
  • Louis Varland tied the game in the ninth, and the Cubs won 3-2 in 11 innings when Crow-Armstrong scored from second after stealing third and coming home on a throwing error by catcher Brandon Valenzuela.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Unsurprisingly, firms reaping profits from the AI boom steal the show.
    — Naazneen Karmali, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of steal
Verb
  • Vandersloot also had 10 assists and Cardoso grabbed 13 rebounds.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
  • When the Almaden Barnes & Noble closed last year after 26 years there was an emotional reaction from the community about a place to browse for books, magazines, puzzles and even grab a cup of coffee.
    — Pueng Vongs, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of grab
Verb
  • Narrow-gauge railroad tracks curve gently up mountain slopes and through groves of the railroad’s namesake trees, now a backdrop for a scenic, one-hour journey back in time.
    — Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Similar to other colubrids, this species possesses a Duvernoy’s gland—a venom gland located behind the eyes and connected by a tube to grooved, backward-curving teeth at the back of the upper jaw.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of curve
Noun
  • After the leap and slap, Yan stood straight up with his feet together and lifted both arms over his head.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Nick Mitchell is a slap-hitting outfielder who doesn’t chase or whiff much but has no power and puts the ball on the ground a lot.
    — Keith Law, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of slap
Verb
  • Celestial events are among the oldest and most profound human experiences of the cosmos, inspiring stories as grand as the sky is wide to explain the marvelous spectacles that arch overhead.
    — Michael J. Caduto, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The galaxy arches high across the sky, with its brightest and most detailed regions now well placed after dusk.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 7 Aug. 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 9 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on hook

Nglish: Translation of hook for Spanish Speakers

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