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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in to bend
to cause to turn away from a straight line
the pitcher hooked the ball, and the batter missed
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to curve
to turn away from a straight line or course
hang the bird feeder on a branch that hooks upward
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of hook
Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Her ear for melody is an A+ and the hooks soar.
—Ramon Ramirez, Austin American Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026
Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
That was part of coming up with a clear narrative that can hook you emotionally and that can help narrate this story.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hook
Noun
But the hook defender was in a perfect position to pick off the pass.
—Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Her ear for melody is an A+ and the hooks soar.
—Ramon Ramirez, Austin American Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
My husband’s aunt and uncle introduced us to this lemon arugula salad, and I’ve been hooked ever since.
—Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
That was part of coming up with a clear narrative that can hook you emotionally and that can help narrate this story.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hook
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hook
Noun
-
The final blow came in the 70th minute with Sveindís Jónsdóttir’s run down the left flank, setting up Miahara Niehues, making a late run in the middle, for the finish.—
Damian Calhoun,
Daily News,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Hot tools are big and bulky, and most hotels provide some sort of blow dryer.—
Rylee Johnston,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
What’s the best way to clean baseboards without bending down?—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
14 Mar. 2026
-
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife advises those who come in contact with mountain lions to stay calm and remain still, never run or approach a lion and avoid crouching down or bending over.—
Molly Gibbs,
Mercury News,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Officers connected Spano to the hit-and-run and arrested him.—
Dave Carlin,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
-
But he's kept going door-to-door to make sure that children who have HIV are still taking their medications, connected to medical care and feeling supported.—
Gabrielle Emanuel,
NPR,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Shortly thereafter, VanSlooten stole the ball and drove the length of the court for a layup that made it 54-51.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Amedee makes a diving stop at first to steal a hit away from Cotton.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
So grab your Kindle or take a trip to the bookstore, because your TBR is about to get a lot longer.—
De Elizabeth,
Glamour,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Gui Santos put up 18 points and four rebounds, and Gary Payton II continued his strong run of play on the offensive side of the ball by scoring 15 and grabbing six rebounds.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The changes will close much of the park, including the Greek Theater, Central Promenade, and South Plaza of Civic Center, where big festivals often set up stages and vendors line the curving sidewalks.—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The sculptural creation hung from her neck like a necklace, before curving over her chest.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The year 2000 was a good one for world-dominating rap singles that landed like an open palm slap to the jaw.—
Dash Lewis,
Pitchfork,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Will Smith’s onstage slap of Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars is the obvious example.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The permanent exhibit includes a full-scale replica of the Nihonbashi Bridge, an arching wooden structure that once joined the five roads to Edo at the gate to the capital.—
Jessica Kozuka,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Mar. 2026
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Hawaii's Kīlauea volcano was putting on a spectacular show Tuesday evening, with its latest eruptive episode producing arching bands of red lava higher than some skyscrapers.—
Dennis Romero,
NBC news,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hook. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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