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
During that bang-bang play, Senga ran to the base, leapt for a high throw from Pete Alonso and stepped on the bag before grabbing his right hamstring and dropping to the ground.
—
Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 14 June 2025
The Dodgers took more good at-bats in the seventh, when another double from Freeman set up Pages for a two-out, two-run single — with Freeman racing home on his battered right ankle to score on a bang-bang slide.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2025
Trying to get home from third can be far different in that there are myriad bang-bang plays that can happen.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2025
Haggerty was initially deemed safe on the bang-bang play at second – enraging Boone – but replay review overturned the call and brought the inning to an end.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 22 May 2025
The loud bang-bang seemed to suck all the oxygen out of the three-bedroom, 1,200-square-foot ranch home.
—Suzette Hackney, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2025
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
Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 14 June 2025
The Dodgers took more good at-bats in the seventh, when another double from Freeman set up Pages for a two-out, two-run single — with Freeman racing home on his battered right ankle to score on a bang-bang slide.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2025
Trying to get home from third can be far different in that there are myriad bang-bang plays that can happen.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2025
Haggerty was initially deemed safe on the bang-bang play at second – enraging Boone – but replay review overturned the call and brought the inning to an end.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 22 May 2025
The loud bang-bang seemed to suck all the oxygen out of the three-bedroom, 1,200-square-foot ranch home.
—Suzette Hackney, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bang-bang
Adjective
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Dressed in a Versace shirt and gleaming gold chain, Shakur was still out on bond, still basking in the glow of stardom, brushing off a violent altercation with a Crip gang member inside a Sin City casino that had transpired just hours earlier after a Mike Tyson boxing match.—
Danielle Bacher,
People.com,
1 July 2025
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On June 25, Monroe officers used a drone to track down a violent offender who had fled into a wooded area, police said.—
Maia Nehme,
Charlotte Observer,
1 July 2025
Adjective
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The Manchester City striker is one of the global game’s most ferocious and intelligent goalscorers.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
28 June 2025
-
Now, she’s added another competitive event to her list of favorites: F1, or Formula 1, largely considered the world's most ferocious and high-tech form of auto racing.—
Marco della Cava,
USA Today,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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River had Gonzalo Montiel sent off at the death for a second yellow card as the match ended with Inter players running off the pitch showered by items from the stands and followed by a furious Marcos Acuna until he was restrained by team-mates.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
25 June 2025
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Employees, terrified and furious, call out to the agents.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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The Supreme Court cases that set off the fiercest conflicts among the justices aren’t always the hot-button ones.—
Dan McLaughlin,
National Review,
25 June 2025
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The land is torn apart by fierce rivals, shifting loyalties and bloody betrayals.—
Selome Hailu,
Variety,
24 June 2025
Adjective
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Reina, Fil-Am team center back, brings us on this turbulent journey, culminating in an intimate trip to her grandmother’s hometown in the Philippines.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
25 June 2025
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Even Zelensky – who has had a turbulent relationship with Trump – came away with wins.—
Joseph Ataman,
CNN Money,
25 June 2025
Adjective
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While the Yankees weren’t too explosive on their annual fireworks night, their three runs proved plenty with Tim Hill, Fernando Cruz, Luke Weaver and Devin Williams keeping the A’s off the board.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
28 June 2025
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The 30,000-pound bomb consists of steel, explosive and a fuse programmed to a specific detonation time.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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Avoid scrubbing the microwave’s interior with rough materials like steel wool or abrasive sponges.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
27 June 2025
-
Ransom Canyon star Josh Duhamel didn’t have a rough time getting to know the set of his new film Off the Grid because the actor lives off the grid in real-life.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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Harrington had words with an NBC Analyst, prompting rabid reactions online.—
Kendall Capps,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 June 2025
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The pair bond over the course of the movie, but Old Yeller is ultimately bitten by a rabid wolf defending Travis, Washburn’s Lisbeth and his mother (Dorothy McGuire).—
Victoria Edel,
People.com,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bang-bang.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bang-bang. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.
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