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
And a big part of the scene’s effectiveness in showcasing the blend of ha-ha–bang-bang that would soon come to be called Tarantino-esque is Madsen’s take on it.
—
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 3 July 2025
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
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 3 July 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bang-bang
Adjective
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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
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Before long, his life is plagued by a series of mysterious, sinister incidents that threaten to upend his success and bring about a most violent demise.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
1 July 2025
Adjective
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On the wall behind her, Gauguin has painted glyphs like those discovered on Easter Island, and a masked female figure, ferocious and bare-breasted.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
11 July 2025
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Last time around, the titular Addams Family member, portrayed by Jenna Ortega, saved Nevermore by solving the mystery of the Hyde’s identity and putting a stop to the ferocious creature.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
9 July 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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With so many players in the game, the competition is simultaneously fierce and toothless.—
Todd Fisher,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
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Winds, too, were fierce, gusting up to 70 mph at the lakefront, according to the National Weather Service.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
7 July 2025
Adjective
-
At the tight end position, a turbulent year around him in 2024 didn’t allow for any consistency for Jake Ferguson, especially when factoring in his injuries.—
Nick Harris
July 8,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 July 2025
-
Chapek’s short and turbulent reign ended in 2022 when Iger returned as CEO.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
7 July 2025
Adjective
-
In the span of three weeks, in prime time and on the big screen, Americans witnessed two vivid interpretations of the horrors of nuclear war: one explosive and terrifying, the other corrosive and elegiac.—
Tom Nichols,
The Atlantic,
10 July 2025
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That internal shift can make conflict feel less explosive and more constructive.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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Most young kids who are just getting used to their animal friends tend to be a little rough with them at first.—
Marilyn La Jeunesse,
Parents,
9 July 2025
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While a canker sore is forming, that part of your mouth may also tingle, burn or feel rough.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
8 July 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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There’ve been some good ones over the past few years, but films like Rush, Ferrari and Ford v Ferrari haven’t drawn the kind of rabid audiences that show up to watch these races live.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bang-bang.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bang-bang. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
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