haymaker

noun

hay·​mak·​er ˈhā-ˌmā-kər How to pronounce haymaker (audio)
: a powerful blow

Examples of haymaker in a Sentence

He was knocked down by a haymaker to his jaw. dealt his opponent a haymaker that sent him reeling across the boxing ring
Recent Examples on the Web There are a number of gut-punch moments in this tale of a man fighting for his legacy and his soul, but the haymaker comes courtesy of Matt Damon’s Major General Leslie Groves, who Oppenheimer asks to think about the responsibility of using this weapon on an enemy population. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 22 July 2023 The Wolverines hit the overmatched Hawkeyes with one haymaker after another during a relentless pummeling that ended with its first conference championship since 2004. Rainer Sabin, Detroit Free Press, 18 Aug. 2023 Then, just as you’re getting settled, along comes the haymaker of Episode 6. Chris Vognar, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2023 Ramírez landed a right haymaker that leveled Anderson. Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2023 The Guardians lost to the White Sox Saturday night, 7-4, but Ramirez knocked Tim Anderson on his rear end at second base with a haymaker that would have done Muhammad Ali proud. Paul Hoynes, cleveland, 6 Aug. 2023 Anderson and Ramírez squared off like prize fighters near second base, trading swings before Ramírez landed a right haymaker that leveled Anderson. Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2023 DeSantis' brand as a 'fighter' on the line as Trump throws haymakers DeSantis' campaign contrasts Trump's record with his own. Hannah Demissie, ABC News, 2 July 2023 The teams would trade haymakers, but the one-touchdown underdog Hogs took a 10-point lead into halftime behind a quarterback sneak for a touchdown by Mallett. Ben Flanagan | Bflanagan@al.com, al, 1 July 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'haymaker.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of haymaker was in 1902

Dictionary Entries Near haymaker

Cite this Entry

“Haymaker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/haymaker. Accessed 10 Dec. 2023.

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