biff 1 of 2

noun

ˈbif How to pronounce biff (audio)
Definition of biffnext
as in thump
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument he got a biff in the noggin as his reward for trying to intervene in the fight

Synonyms & Similar Words

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biff

2 of 2

verb

as in to smack
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner the elderly woman swung her purse and biffed the mugger upside the head

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 biff
Verb
Keldon Johnson biffed reckless drives to the basket. — Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 7 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for biff
  1. thump
  2. smack
  3. thud
  4. hit
  5. blow
  6. slap
  7. punch
  8. bang
Noun
  • But the knock on them has been the lack of thump in their lineup.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The brutalist thump of drummer Moe Tucker renders the showmen in Led Zeppelin and the Who irrelevant.
    — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of thump
Verb
  • Technically, this chart is like getting smacked in the face with a greasy paper bag filled with lamb gyros.
    — Josh Brown,Sean Russo, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The next inning, rookie shortstop Cooper Pratt smacked the go-ahead single.
    — Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of smack
Noun
  • Discordant keys fly like daggers while snares trip over bass thuds; there’s a jazzy piano interlude, and then a murderous hard-rock siege razes the mix to the ground.
    — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Almost every night in Riyadh brings the bass-drum booms and thuds of interceptors launching to destroy incoming projectiles.
    — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of thud
Verb
  • The wreckage of Wednesday's crash reminded many of the aftermath of another train collision in January, when 46 people died in southern Spain when an Iryo train jumped the track and hit an oncoming Renfe train.
    — JOSEPH WILSON, Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The teams combined to hit just four homers, three for Milwaukee.
    — Rob Maaddi, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of hit
Noun
  • There are really no blows to be given him but defensive ones.
    — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The tragedy deals a fresh blow to Sánchez’ left-wing government, which has already faced corruption scandals, protests over housing affordability and the Ceuta mass migrant crossing earlier this year.
    — Vasco Cotovio, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of blow
Verb
  • Public support among Americans has plummeted, and partners in Europe and elsewhere have slapped sanctions on Israel.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Jamie Love is swaying, slapping a hand against her thigh to keep time, and mouthing along to the music that plays from a set of portable speakers.
    — Sam Kestenbaum, Harpers Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of slap
Noun
  • Fayette County District Attorney Michael Aubele says that Stimmel was allegedly combative with arresting officers that day and allegedly tried to throw a punch during intake.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Harbach’s grand set piece on Block Island packs a punch but only after a considerable buildup.
    — Malcolm Forbes, Christian Science Monitor, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of punch
Verb
  • And although the set wasn’t particularly long, Charli rocked it, sending heads banging everywhere.
    — Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 29 Oct. 2026
  • But the Rodriguez and other members of the Cuban delegation began banging the desks, calling for a point of order and shouting insults at Waltz.
    — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of bang

Browse Nearby Words

biers
biff
biffed
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Cite this Entry

“Biff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/biff. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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