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
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Recent Examples of bang-bang
Plays at the plate are usually bang-bang plays.
—
Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 9 June 2026
Mattingly called for a replay review on the bang-bang play.
—Matt Gelb, New York Times, 31 May 2026
However, Aaron Judge fired a pinpointed rocket to plate, where Austin Wells applied a bang-bang tag on a sliding Massey just in time.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 28 May 2026
The main attraction is the park, and proximity to the cutie bang-bang option of Piccoli-to-Go followed by Uncle Louie G’s for ices.
—Katie McDonough, Curbed, 18 May 2026
On the second costly infield play, in the fifth inning, Chapman moved quickly on Xander Bogaerts’ dribbler, but Schmitt, anticipating the bang-bang play, extended too early and missed the high throw.
—Shayna Rubin, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 Apr. 2026
Despite the bang-bang nature of the play, To’oTo’o was called for unnecessary roughness.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2025
He’s also involved in some dodgy side hustles, which leads to a lot of peripheral gunplay and tangential, ha-ha–bang-bang set pieces that feel cherry-picked from Coen’s back catalog.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2025
The bang-bang ending gave Colorado (35-89) its third straight win and clinched the four-game series with the Diamondbacks.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 17 Aug. 2025
Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 9 June 2026
Mattingly called for a replay review on the bang-bang play.
—Matt Gelb, New York Times, 31 May 2026
However, Aaron Judge fired a pinpointed rocket to plate, where Austin Wells applied a bang-bang tag on a sliding Massey just in time.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 28 May 2026
The main attraction is the park, and proximity to the cutie bang-bang option of Piccoli-to-Go followed by Uncle Louie G’s for ices.
—Katie McDonough, Curbed, 18 May 2026
On the second costly infield play, in the fifth inning, Chapman moved quickly on Xander Bogaerts’ dribbler, but Schmitt, anticipating the bang-bang play, extended too early and missed the high throw.
—Shayna Rubin, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 Apr. 2026
Despite the bang-bang nature of the play, To’oTo’o was called for unnecessary roughness.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2025
He’s also involved in some dodgy side hustles, which leads to a lot of peripheral gunplay and tangential, ha-ha–bang-bang set pieces that feel cherry-picked from Coen’s back catalog.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2025
The bang-bang ending gave Colorado (35-89) its third straight win and clinched the four-game series with the Diamondbacks.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 17 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bang-bang
Adjective
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Dinah Voyles Pulver, a national correspondent for USA TODAY, writes about violent weather, the environment, climate change and other news.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
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His drawling, winking charm is front and center, and his attraction to our heroine feels both genuine and even quite protective, but his violent streak is so blasé as to be unnerving.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
7 June 2026
Adjective
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It’s embedded in the lore of the city — the breakout pass, the bounding leap, the midair double clutch, the ferocious snarl.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
11 June 2026
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The outcome caps one of California’s most ferocious congressional primaries, a contest that reflected the broader struggle between the Democratic Party’s moderate and progressive wings.—
Mathew Miranda
June 9,
Sacbee.com,
10 June 2026
Adjective
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Scenes of furious sketching, intricate designs of delicate cutouts and swirling shapes and fabrics, pinning, sewing and the bustle of runway shows alternate with fretting about how to pay the rent.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
7 June 2026
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The post, liked by 8 million users, drew thousands of comments, mostly from furious Knicks fans who couldn’t believe that the furry red Muppet didn’t fully endorse his hometown team for its away game.—
Anna Lazarus Caplan,
PEOPLE,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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What all present did expect was a fierce contest.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
-
Bagnulo noted that the competition will be fierce.—
Andrew McNicol,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
Adjective
-
Getty Images The Philadelphia Phillies have spent the last several weeks playing like a club determined to erase the disappointment of a turbulent first half.—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
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As the investigation progresses in this four-part docuseries, Stephen reveals the turbulent family dynamics that shaped his childhood, including his father Ron — a violent Vietnam War vet grappling with PTSD — and his mother, Margie, who divorced Ron in the '90s.—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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And an inability to keep down even small sips of water without sprinting to the bathroom with yet more explosive diarrhea.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 June 2026
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Stray Kids headline Saturday, bringing what the Live Nation press release describes as explosive live performances that have sold out stadiums worldwide.—
Hannah Abraham,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
Adjective
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Last year, researchers at the University of California San Diego developed a wearable AI system that accurately interprets arm gestures and controls robots, even during running, vehicle motion, or rough ocean conditions.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
10 June 2026
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The large leg retains stability even on rough, uneven ground.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bang-bang.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bang-bang. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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