1
as in blows
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
he hasn't been the same ever since he received that bash on his head
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in tries
chiefly British
an effort to do or accomplish something
while golf isn't my game, I had to give it a bash while at Saint Andrews in Scotland
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in events
a social gathering
I'm throwing a New Year's bash this year
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in slams
to come into usually forceful contact with something
the car bashed into the tree with glass-shattering force
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in slaps
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
you have to bash that door hard in order to get it open
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in licks
to strike repeatedly
the angry child kept bashing her toy with a hammer until it broke
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in attacks
to criticize harshly and usually publicly
in all of talk radio no other host seems to enjoy bashing liberals as much as he does
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Recent Examples of bashes
Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 19 May 2026
Since 2000, she's reigned as Queen of Halloween with her extravagant bashes.
—Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 7 May 2026
Cartier’s party was the first stop of several post–Met Gala soirees for this crowd, many of whom migrated downtown to attend the late-night bashes like the GQ after-party at The Twenty Two.
—Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 5 May 2026
Check out the full list of this year’s biggest bashes.
—Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 12 Mar. 2026
The result Saturday was a mid-winter party that felt different than any of their previous bashes.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
Additionally, the 2026 Golden Globes weekend includes pre-and post-show bashes hosted by Universal, Amazon MGM Studios, Netflix and BAFTA.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 2 Jan. 2026
From school functions to open houses to dinner parties and festive bashes, December tends to be a month full of visiting.
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2025
There are Christmas stalls at the beloved farmers’ market each Saturday this month, as well as bashes like the New Year’s Eve party called Glitter & Grooves at Coyote Sonoma.
—Mark Ellwood, AFAR Media, 20 Oct. 2025
Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 13 May 2026
Bonta’s move from the deep-blue state of California adds to the political backdrop swirling around big business, particularly Big Media at a time when President Trump himself regularly bashes mainstream entertainment and news outlets.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 27 Feb. 2026
Between Friendsgivings, office parties, gift swaps, festive dinners, and New Year’s Eve bashes, we are inundated with celebrations.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026
Neighborhood bars and restaurants across Chicago are prepping for their New Year's Eve bashes on Wednesday.
—Marissa Perlman, CBS News, 31 Dec. 2025
Landry defends her and bashes her stalker’s head with a pipe.
—Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 31 Dec. 2025
After the man shoots Henry in the hand, Henry bashes his skull in out of fear for his life.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 25 Dec. 2025
American has fallen behind large rivals Delta Air Lines and United Airlines in the post-Covid luxury travel boom that has taken Seoul spa vacations and 40th birthday bashes abroad out of the chat and armed millions of consumers with high-end rewards credit cards.
—Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2025
Blades lop off body parts, while blunt force trauma breaks bones and bashes indentations in soft flesh.
—Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
Go on fungi-finding forays with truffle-sniffing dogs at the Oregon Truffle Festival, or attend epicurean bashes like Alt Wine Fest, Queer Wine Fest, AAPI Food & Wine Festival, and the International Pinot Noir Celebration.
—Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 19 May 2026
Since 2000, she's reigned as Queen of Halloween with her extravagant bashes.
—Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 7 May 2026
Cartier’s party was the first stop of several post–Met Gala soirees for this crowd, many of whom migrated downtown to attend the late-night bashes like the GQ after-party at The Twenty Two.
—Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 5 May 2026
Check out the full list of this year’s biggest bashes.
—Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 12 Mar. 2026
The result Saturday was a mid-winter party that felt different than any of their previous bashes.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
Additionally, the 2026 Golden Globes weekend includes pre-and post-show bashes hosted by Universal, Amazon MGM Studios, Netflix and BAFTA.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 2 Jan. 2026
From school functions to open houses to dinner parties and festive bashes, December tends to be a month full of visiting.
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2025
There are Christmas stalls at the beloved farmers’ market each Saturday this month, as well as bashes like the New Year’s Eve party called Glitter & Grooves at Coyote Sonoma.
—Mark Ellwood, AFAR Media, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
South Carolina Supreme Court bashes 'shocking jury interference' Murdaugh’s attorneys in his appeal argued the trial was tainted by Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill's improper comments to jurors, among other issues.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 13 May 2026
Bonta’s move from the deep-blue state of California adds to the political backdrop swirling around big business, particularly Big Media at a time when President Trump himself regularly bashes mainstream entertainment and news outlets.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 27 Feb. 2026
Between Friendsgivings, office parties, gift swaps, festive dinners, and New Year’s Eve bashes, we are inundated with celebrations.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026
Neighborhood bars and restaurants across Chicago are prepping for their New Year's Eve bashes on Wednesday.
—Marissa Perlman, CBS News, 31 Dec. 2025
Landry defends her and bashes her stalker’s head with a pipe.
—Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 31 Dec. 2025
After the man shoots Henry in the hand, Henry bashes his skull in out of fear for his life.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 25 Dec. 2025
American has fallen behind large rivals Delta Air Lines and United Airlines in the post-Covid luxury travel boom that has taken Seoul spa vacations and 40th birthday bashes abroad out of the chat and armed millions of consumers with high-end rewards credit cards.
—Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2025
Blades lop off body parts, while blunt force trauma breaks bones and bashes indentations in soft flesh.
—Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bashes
Noun
-
Feminism was anti-gerontocratic, too, striking blows against old men and their old ways.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
12 June 2026
-
The biggest blows came from Garcia and Starling Marte.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
Freese will need to organize a back line that has failed to keep a shutout in eight tries dating back to last September.—
Julian Cardillo,
Boston Herald,
9 June 2026
-
Levi scored two tries to extend her season-leading tally to 64, and was even more impressive with two try-saving tackles from behind on Katelyn Vaha'akolo.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
On March 1 of this year, the Qatari soccer federation postponed all matches during the ongoing war between Israel and Iran while other sporting events in the region were also affected.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
13 June 2026
-
Alongside the large-scale events, the pope made time for low-key but moments.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
There's somatic empathy, the automatic wince when someone slams their hand in a door.—
Dr. Marcus Collins,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
-
In addition, an open lid that slams shut can pinch small fingers, and the water in a toilet can be a drowning hazard.—
Abby Wolner,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Wilhelm enters the room, removes most of his clothing and gets into bed with her, slaps her, pushes her away and then caresses her face and cradles her.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
-
That direct relationship is what separates a true farm to table operation from a restaurant that simply slaps the phrase on a marketing page.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Sacbee.com,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
Food stands also debuted that year, with ribs sizzling along with the blues licks.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
-
At one point in a dinner scene, Shields' Erika licks Joey's fingers.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
In a 1998 study published in Toxicon, researchers revealed that the inland taipan’s venom comprises a sophisticated mix of biologically active compounds, each of which attacks multiple physiological systems simultaneously.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
-
The bodycam footage shows Rivas swimming across the water before an alligator gives chase and attacks him.—
Sean Joseph OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
Agents yelled from every direction, and the thumps of a news helicopter overhead were deafening.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
-
You’ll be thrown around in your seat, which moves in sync with the action, along with thumps in the back, splashes of water, blasts of air, smoke, and flashes of light.—
Benny Har-Even,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bashes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bashes. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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