biffs 1 of 2

noun

plural of biff
as in punches
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

Relevance

biffs

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of biff
as in knocks
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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for biffs
  1. punches
  2. knocks
  3. thumps
  4. slaps
  5. blows
  6. hits
  7. swipes
  8. smacks
Noun
  • There were no punches thrown, just heated discussion about the result.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2026
  • The aim in the cage is to knock the other guy’s block off, and then to pile on to the point of submission with a flurry of punches.
    — Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2026
Definition of punches
Verb
  • One of the marks of Charles is his ability to keep getting up when the world knocks him down.
    — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 25 July 2026
  • Thekla then strikes Nightingale with the microphone and attempts to hit her with the championship belt, but Nightingale knocks her away.
    — Rob Wolkenbrod, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of knocks
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
Definition of thumps
Verb
  • Helmut Haller, West Germany vs England, 1966 Ray Wilson misjudges his headed clearance, Haller gathers it on the edge of the box and, just before Bobby Moore can close him down, slaps a right-footed shot into the far corner.
    — Adam Hurrey, New York Times, 17 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of slaps
Noun
  • The eighth and final reprieve followed an extraordinary meeting of the Board of Pardons at which a State Police major, who believed Smith was innocent, nearly came to blows with Smith’s prosecutor, who was just as convinced of Smith’s guilt.
    — Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026
  • In a little corner of my mind, however, history will always mean the tragic smashing of individual lives by its cruel hands and the scattering of bewildered people reeling from its blows.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 July 2026
Definition of blows
Verb
  • Amid a season marred by struggles, Kyle Tucker hits home runs in back-to-back games to help the Dodgers secure a series win over the New York Mets.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2026
  • Made right, this dish hits all the high notes for a nutritious breakfast.
    — Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 26 July 2026
Definition of hits
Noun
  • Think of it like a team of pickpockets, one of which walks up to ask you for directions while the other swipes your wallet.
    — Alan Henry, PC Magazine, 10 July 2026
  • Make careful vertical swipes, run the vegetable peeler down the sides of the fruit, following its curves to trim closely between the skin and the flesh.
    — Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 July 2026
Definition of swipes
Verb
  • The boy smacks him in the mouth and then immediately starts crying.
    — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2026
  • An attack rears its ugly head, and the security team smacks it down.
    — Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 27 Mar. 2026
Definition of smacks
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.

Browse Nearby Words

biffing
biffs
bifocals
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Biffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/biffs. Accessed 30 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of sultry

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
chain-question-mark
Missing Link Quiz July 2026 Five seconds to figure out the word that fits bot...
See All