1
as in blows
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
delivered a sharp bang that rattled the door
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in claps
a loud explosive sound
a sudden bang made the cat jump
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in kicks
a pleasurably intense stimulation of the feelings
tried to get the most bang for her money at the attractions at the county fair
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in bumps
to come into usually forceful contact with something
the toy car banged into the wall and stopped
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in slaps
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
idly banged trees with a stick
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in slams
to shove into a closed position with force and noise
stomped off to his room and banged the door
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 bangs
Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 2 Nov. 2025
Like baby bangs, but for drapery.
—Lori Keong, Architectural Digest, 30 Oct. 2025
Hilton kept it sleek in a black mini-dress with fishnet panels and thigh-high boots, finishing her look with dark shades and blunt bangs.
—Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2025
No, the bangs were not my idea.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025
Tohn has previously spoken about Esther's style in the hit Netflix series — particularly after her character got bold, blunt bangs for season 2.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
Several agents tried to push the protesters away before deploying two flash bangs, witnesses said.
—Terry Collins, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
Most important, though, Esther gets bangs.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2025
Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Noun
Wispy ’90s bangs are notoriously finicky—they’re so lightweight that the slightest brush against your forehead can leave them greasy and flat.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 2 Nov. 2025
Like baby bangs, but for drapery.
—Lori Keong, Architectural Digest, 30 Oct. 2025
Hilton kept it sleek in a black mini-dress with fishnet panels and thigh-high boots, finishing her look with dark shades and blunt bangs.
—Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2025
No, the bangs were not my idea.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025
Tohn has previously spoken about Esther's style in the hit Netflix series — particularly after her character got bold, blunt bangs for season 2.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
Several agents tried to push the protesters away before deploying two flash bangs, witnesses said.
—Terry Collins, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
Most important, though, Esther gets bangs.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
The sheep alien bangs its head on the glass in the nextdoor cell, startling Tootles, who falls over and spills the tray.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bangs
Noun
-
Despite major strides in the right direction, the push for a greener future has been dealt several devastating blows from a fraught supply chain, economic headwinds and political setbacks.—
Katherine Fung,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Richard Westenberger, executive vice president and chief financial officer at Carter’s, said tariffs are delivering blows to the business, which has caused the company to hike its prices and decrease its discounting efforts.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Stewart said to massive claps from the audience.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Owen Wilson’s Stick has been renewed for a second season; the news was likely received to just mild golf claps among the online golfing community.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
One shopper can confirm these kicks are both stylish and comfortable.—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
24 Oct. 2025
-
The kicks also feature a herringbone outsole, per the product description, designed to grip hardwood floors.—
Kelsey Stewart,
Footwear News,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
A day when the Stanley Cup years finally ride the synaptic road back to long-term memory and the brain finally bumps the past for the present.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
As the scrum disperses, D’Angelo turns to you and slaps you five.—
Touré,
Rolling Stone,
14 Oct. 2025
-
By the end, only one of the assassins is alive; Brian ties him to a tree and slaps him around a bit, demanding to know who hired him.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Scientists have always assumed that when this stellar ejecta violently slams into dense gas surrounding the dying star, known as the circumstellar medium, this generates narrow emission lines in the light or spectra seen from Type II supernovas.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Jamaica reels after Hurricane Melissa slams into the island, severely damaging roads and hospitals.—
Christian Orozco,
NBC news,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell last week explained why Americans don’t care about metrics that politicians like to cite, including strong spending or gross domestic product booms.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
4 Nov. 2025
-
That’s because asset price booms tend to follow Fed rate cuts, and older, wealthier consumers — who own more stocks — disproportionately benefit from those market gains.—
Carlos Waters,
CNBC,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
It’s been 32 years since Toronto experienced the thrills of the World Series.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
-
And while the vastness of the universe is worth considering, Bouwer had the most fun conjuring all of the fun and thrills out of a small-scale story.—
William Earl,
Variety,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bangs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bangs. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share