1
as in to shut
to shove into a closed position with force and noise
please don't slam the door every time you step out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to knock
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
she slammed the ball deep into center field
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to bump
to come into usually forceful contact with something
the car slammed into the wall with a fearful crunch
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to attack
to criticize harshly and usually publicly
slammed the cast members for forgetting their lines on opening night
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in blow
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
gave the stubborn nail one last slam with the hammer
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2
as in bang
a loud explosive sound
shut the door with a loud slam
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3
as in jail
a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody
sported a gang tattoo on his arm that had gotten him plenty of respect in the slam
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in collision
a forceful coming together of two things
the sudden slam of my head against the trunk of the car
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of slam
CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
Parts of the Arabian Peninsula and Persian Gulf could be slammed by strong to severe thunderstorms Thursday, bringing the potential for damaging winds, destructive hail and a few tornadoes.
—Matthew Cappucci, Washington Post, 24 Mar. 2026
Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
In a game filled with highlight-reel dunks by the Spurs, Wembanyama had the most dramatic one, racing down court to slam the ball over GG Jackson after the Grizzlies forward had raced past the Frenchman on the previous play for his own thundering slam.
—Tom Orsborn, San Antonio Express-News, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for slam
Verb
In Tel Aviv, a missile with a 220 pound warhead slipped through Israeli defenses and slammed into a street, blowing out the windows of an apartment building and sending smoke billowing.
—CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
Parts of the Arabian Peninsula and Persian Gulf could be slammed by strong to severe thunderstorms Thursday, bringing the potential for damaging winds, destructive hail and a few tornadoes.
—Matthew Cappucci, Washington Post, 24 Mar. 2026
Noun
His night was highlighted by a two-handed slam in transition early in the second quarter.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
In a game filled with highlight-reel dunks by the Spurs, Wembanyama had the most dramatic one, racing down court to slam the ball over GG Jackson after the Grizzlies forward had raced past the Frenchman on the previous play for his own thundering slam.
—Tom Orsborn, San Antonio Express-News, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for slam
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slam
Verb
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After all, a bit more than a decade later, hostilities would explode anew in the Arab-Israeli War of 1967, during which Nasser shut the canal again.—
Ishaan Tharoor,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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The Nets responded with a 10-0 run to slam the door shut.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Remember, as little as 6 inches of moving water can knock you off your feet.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
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About 2 minutes and 40 seconds into the fight, Grasso drilled Barber in the head with a left hook, knocking her out.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Images and videos shared on social media show robots from various brands getting lost, bumping into things, and struggling to cross streets.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
26 Mar. 2026
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The site is a non-union location and there are no bumping rights.—
Desiree Mathurin,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Authorities are working to identify the owner of a dog that entered a Midlothian home and attacked a 1‑year‑old child and an adult, leaving them bloodied and the child hospitalized with severe injuries.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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Banchero’s ball The Magic forward attacked downhill early and often to notch 10 points in the opening quarter and a team-high 18 in the first half.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Virginia made one last push, cutting TCU’s lead to 65-55, but the Horned Frogs quickly delivered the knockout blow as Miles knocked down a 3 and Suarez hit sophomore center Clara Silva for a layup to end Virginia’s hopes of another upset.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Mar. 2026
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The Israeli military later said raw materials are processed for enrichment at the Yazd plant and the strike was a major blow to Iran’s nuclear program.—
Farnoush Amiri,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Swift leaned into the soft romance of her outfit with an undone half-up hairstyle with her signature bangs brushed to the side for a dreamy effect.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
27 Mar. 2026
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Cyrus has kept the spirits high by embodying her beloved character in a series of colorful, sequin, and rhinestone-studded looks on red carpets, even returning to that signature Hannah Montana blonde and set of bangs.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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This center could break that cycle by getting them the specialized treatment that the jail cannot and does not provide.—
Jim DeFede,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
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Ramsey, 53, has been held in a Dallas County, Iowa, jail since March 17, with bail set at $2 million.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC news,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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And in 2009, collision between a plane and a tourist helicopter over the Hudson killed nine people.—
JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
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Authorities later said Davide Veglia, 55, of North Miami died after the collision Wednesday night in Biscayne Bay, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Slam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slam. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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