slam dunk

Definition of slam dunknext
as in lock
one that is certain to succeed since he was trying his first case, the assistant district attorney was assigned a burglary case that was a slam dunk

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 slam dunk Even at the slam dunk competition. Kevin Sherrington feb. 10, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026 At the time, the move wasn’t immediately obvious as a slam dunk. Tristan Bove, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026 From gumbo to Mardi Gras wings, kicking up your game-day menu with a little spice is a slam dunk. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026 With hometown fans cheering in Chicago Stadium, Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins went toe-to-toe in the slam dunk contest during All-Star Weekend. Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for slam dunk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slam dunk
Noun
  • The loss locks in the longest losing streak at USC in over a decade, as well as the longest losing streak of Musselman’s tenure as a college coach.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Mayer’s last three games came at home as part of the same unit as Trevor Story, Caleb Durbin and Willson Contreras, all of whom are locks to start.
    Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 7 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Chalamet, while Marty’s best bet, has lately looked like less of a sure thing, while a win for Byrne would be a pleasant surprise in a race that pundits long ago ceded to Hamnet’s Jessie Buckley.
    Alison Willmore, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2026
  • So really, now the only sure thing, short of a major shocker, is a Jessie Buckley win for Lead Actress in Hamnet.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Historical paintings don’t come with certificates; experts are increasingly hesitant to express complete certainty, for fear of litigation or reputational damage should they be proven wrong.
    Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 9 Mar. 2026
  • In the maelstrom of modern war, presumed certainties crumble like piecrust.
    George F. Will, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Slam dunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slam%20dunk. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.

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