as in violent
marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity
the film lacks compelling characters, but it has plenty of bang-bang action
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 bang-bang
The second of two runs was a bang-bang play at the plate between Luisangel Acuña and Henry Davis with Acuña just beating the tag.
—
Drew Vonscio, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
Murray was trying to remember if he’s ever seen a closer bang-bang finish to a game than Gordon’s.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 29 Apr. 2025
The playoffs are often decided by split-second, bang-bang plays, and this was certainly one that could have easily been called in real time.
—Mark Weinstein, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Apr. 2025
First-base umpire Jordan Baker originally ruled Riley out on the bang-bang play, but the Braves challenged, and the call was overturned.
—Katie Woo, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025
Evan Phillips then finished off that inning, before Tanner Scott got his eighth save of the season in the ninth — the game ending when Rangers baserunner Wyatt Langford was tagged out by second baseman Miguel Rojas after popping off the bag on a bang-bang play while trying to steal a base.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2025
Robert Thomas had a couple of quick, bang-bang slot chances in the first period that Lankinen robbed him on.
—Harman Dayal, The Athletic, 21 Mar. 2025
Despite the bang-bang nature of the play, To’oTo’o was called for unnecessary roughness.
—Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 19 Jan. 2025
Marquette got the ball back and hit another 3 to take a lead before DePaul forced overtime on a bang-bang goaltending call.
—Lindsay Schnell, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025
Drew Vonscio, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
Murray was trying to remember if he’s ever seen a closer bang-bang finish to a game than Gordon’s.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 29 Apr. 2025
The playoffs are often decided by split-second, bang-bang plays, and this was certainly one that could have easily been called in real time.
—Mark Weinstein, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Apr. 2025
First-base umpire Jordan Baker originally ruled Riley out on the bang-bang play, but the Braves challenged, and the call was overturned.
—Katie Woo, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025
Evan Phillips then finished off that inning, before Tanner Scott got his eighth save of the season in the ninth — the game ending when Rangers baserunner Wyatt Langford was tagged out by second baseman Miguel Rojas after popping off the bag on a bang-bang play while trying to steal a base.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2025
Robert Thomas had a couple of quick, bang-bang slot chances in the first period that Lankinen robbed him on.
—Harman Dayal, The Athletic, 21 Mar. 2025
Despite the bang-bang nature of the play, To’oTo’o was called for unnecessary roughness.
—Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 19 Jan. 2025
Marquette got the ball back and hit another 3 to take a lead before DePaul forced overtime on a bang-bang goaltending call.
—Lindsay Schnell, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bang-bang
Adjective
-
Europeans, Australians and Americans organized violent, racially motivated riots and lawmakers began enacting anti-Chinese immigration legislation, according to Encyclopaedia Britannica.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
16 May 2025
-
Some liberal critics on social media say that Republicans did not seem to take issue when the same slogan — or even more violent rhetoric — was targeted at a Democratic president.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
16 May 2025
Adjective
-
She and her fellow hybrids are sent to investigate the site, leading to the encounter of mysterious life forms — including one ferocious Xenomorph.—
Nick Romano,
EW.com,
23 May 2025
-
Both general elections are expected to be competitive, but only the New Jersey Democratic primary has featured ferocious competition out of the four party primaries.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
19 May 2025
Adjective
-
Eyewitnesses described furious gales and hurricane-like winds that left an avalanche of debris near the pier.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
15 May 2025
-
But even with a better offensive night for Jerome, he was still beaten off the dribble too many times and couldn’t stay on the court for that last, furious push.—
Eric Koreen,
New York Times,
14 May 2025
Adjective
-
Their love and fierce loyalty toward one another is a high point of Season 2.—
Lorraine Ali,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2025
-
Johnson’s selection came over the fierce opposition of some of the school’s staunchest supporters, who celebrate FAMU’s legacy of Black excellence, social mobility and cultural pride.—
Kate Payne,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 May 2025
Adjective
-
This time, there’s still some uneasiness around the organization, mainly rooted in its turbulent recent past.—
James L. Edwards III,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
-
These steps prevent, rather than heal, costly losses that weaken a company’s cash position, especially in turbulent times.—
Dean Kaplan,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
Adjective
-
By the time a trend becomes obvious and investment products are widely available, much of the initial explosive growth has often already occurred.—
Gianluca Sidoti,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
-
Officials with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms conducted a search at Ross’ home in Oklahoma and seized materials that were used to build the explosive devices, police said.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 May 2025
Adjective
-
That gave me my confidence back after a pretty rough departure from NBC.—
Angela Andaloro,
People.com,
22 May 2025
-
The 200 square miles of surrounding coral reefs proved rough for mariners, but divers now reap the benefits with some 300 shipwrecks to explore, from the 192-foot American schooner Constellation that sank during World War II to the Mary Celestia, a Civil War era paddle-wheeler.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
22 May 2025
Adjective
-
Superhuman built their email tool in public, discussing challenges openly, which shaped their product and created a rabid fan base in the process.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
-
That’s not quite enough to fill, say, Coors Field, but certainly enough to warrant applause for this Canadian DJ’s rabid fan base.—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
30 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bang-bang.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bang-bang. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share