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
Richard Ramos, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
The pop star looked unrecognizable with black hair and blunt bangs.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 7 Apr. 2026
Sticking with the high pony, Hathaway’s new bangs appear wispier and choppier, while her face-framing pieces carry more weight to really highlight her face.
—Mykenna Maniece, Vogue, 6 Apr. 2026
Graziose kept a photo of the quartet in which Griffin looks reed-thin and sports bangs.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
Even my curtain bangs—which are constantly under heat—look smoother and retain bouncy volume after using the OUAI balm.
—Grace McCarty, Glamour, 30 Mar. 2026
Swift leaned into the soft romance of her outfit with an undone half-up hairstyle with her signature bangs brushed to the side for a dreamy effect.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 27 Mar. 2026
Morgan Lee, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Another bangs his head against the wall after expressing suicidal thoughts.
—ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
Elleray, predictably, bangs the drum for VAR 10 years after IFAB gave it the green light.
—Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Opt for wispy wisteria bangs for something low maintenance or turn up the face-framing flattery with a thicker curtain fringe.
—Grace McCarty, Glamour, 3 Mar. 2026
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
Noun
Witnesses reported seeing snipers positioned on rooftops in the area and hearing multiple flash bangs, along with commands from deputies ordering the suspect to come out.
—Richard Ramos, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
The pop star looked unrecognizable with black hair and blunt bangs.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 7 Apr. 2026
Sticking with the high pony, Hathaway’s new bangs appear wispier and choppier, while her face-framing pieces carry more weight to really highlight her face.
—Mykenna Maniece, Vogue, 6 Apr. 2026
Graziose kept a photo of the quartet in which Griffin looks reed-thin and sports bangs.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
Even my curtain bangs—which are constantly under heat—look smoother and retain bouncy volume after using the OUAI balm.
—Grace McCarty, Glamour, 30 Mar. 2026
Swift leaned into the soft romance of her outfit with an undone half-up hairstyle with her signature bangs brushed to the side for a dreamy effect.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
Another bangs his head against the wall after expressing suicidal thoughts.
—Morgan Lee, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Another bangs his head against the wall after expressing suicidal thoughts.
—ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
Elleray, predictably, bangs the drum for VAR 10 years after IFAB gave it the green light.
—Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Opt for wispy wisteria bangs for something low maintenance or turn up the face-framing flattery with a thicker curtain fringe.
—Grace McCarty, Glamour, 3 Mar. 2026
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
-
But outside of these rare exceptions, Mario’s pugilism was quickly retired in lieu of hammer hits and kid-friendly blows.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
5 Apr. 2026
-
As a new generation of commanders rises within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps following recent military blows under Operation Epic Fury, analysts warn that this ideology may become even more entrenched.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Tears flowed, and the audience held space for grief, offering supportive claps and chants.—
DeMicia Inman,
VIBE.com,
18 Mar. 2026
-
That front will bring a chance of drizzle to the coast, a few claps of thunder to the Sacramento Valley and snow flurries to the Tahoe area.—
Anthony Edwards,
San Francisco Chronicle,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Mother Road, as author John Steinbeck dubbed it, has evolved over the years from an escape for poor farmers fleeing the devastating dust storms of the 1930s to perhaps the quintessential American road trip that’s still delivering kicks.—
Susan Montoya Bryan,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Riley didn’t return kicks last season but led the team in rushing with 1,145 yards.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The 2027 Ram 1500 SRT TRX will start at $99,995, excluding a mandatory $2,595 destination fee that bumps the price to $102,590.—
Michael Wayland,
CNBC,
1 Jan. 2026
-
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
-
At the end of the night, during the bows, Butler slaps the guys playing her two antagonists gently on their butts, a gesture that would have jarred in most stagings but fully in keeping with the inclusive, humanistic vibe of this production.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The music also slaps, synthesizing industrial, electro-pop and iPod party music into a work that feels honest and the right kind of raunchy.—
Katie Bain,
Billboard,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
On stage, Cameron Winter leads an overall enthralling performance, as the group slams out songs back-to-back with little to say in between; no shenanigans, just a top-notch show.—
Mikael Wood,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
-
When Daisy slams the bedroom door in frustration, June can’t help but smile at the cliched rebellion.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In Guyana’s capital city of Georgetown, neighbors can still hear the thumps.—
Tyler Jett,
Des Moines Register,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Previous booms have not ended in prosperity While some point to Dubai as a model for Oiapoque’s future, nearby cities that once benefited from oil offer a warning for Oiapoque.—
Gabriela Sá Pessoa,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
After the Great Depression, John Maynard Keynes, an economist whose personal life was full of love affairs with leading literary figures, suggested that governments could prevent, or at least moderate, these booms and busts.—
Alex Mayyasi,
NPR,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bangs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bangs. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
