blows 1 of 4

present tense third-person singular of blow
1
2
3
as in explodes
to break open or into pieces usually because of internal pressure a huge crater was formed when the volcano last blew

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4
as in shatters
to cause to break open or into pieces by or as if by an explosive one false move and we would be blown to bits

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

5
6
7

blows

2 of 4

verb (2)

present tense third-person singular of blow
as in flowers
to produce flowers longing for a grassy field in some far-off land where the wildflowers blow

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

blows

3 of 4

noun (1)

plural of blow

blows

4 of 4

noun (2)

plural of blow

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 blows
Verb
Policymakers' ignorance of oil market mechanics becomes clear only when geopolitics enters the picture and blows it all to hell, either figuratively or literally. — Michael Khouw, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026 The exhaust port blows to the rear to allow for quick cleaning of leaves and grass clippings. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026 When a transmission drops or a head gasket blows on an out-of-warranty vehicle, the bill lands entirely on the owner. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2026 In some areas, elk may remain on fairly high windswept ridges where the wind constantly blows the snow away, baring enough forage for the animals to sustain themselves. — Jim Zumbo, Outdoor Life, 10 Sep. 2026 Leading sportswear brands must now consider how that visibility can strengthen a more enduring identity and create value long after the final whistle blows. — Alison Bringé, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026 When a reel of 16mm film discovered in a safe five decades later blows the legend wide open, the people who were there come together to give the full picture. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2026 Usually a cold front blows through a few days before the dove season opener. — Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2026 Warming up heading into mid-week Temperatures will warm into the mid-80s on Wednesday afternoon as muggier weather blows back in. — Cutter Martin, CBS News, 6 Sep. 2026
Noun
And in a single season, a high school or college football player absorbs an estimated 600 to 1,000 subconcussive blows. — Alexandra Pattillo, Scientific American, 23 Sep. 2026 While often associated with blows to the head during contact sports, concussions are common at all ages. — Richard Sima, Washington Post, 20 Sep. 2026 Ruffy came out ready to trade blows and showed speed in the opening minutes. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026 Like his wife, Andrew was also attacked with a hatchet, receiving as many as 11 blows to his face, leaving him nearly unrecognizable, according to Smithsonian Magazine. — Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2026 Abby was struck 19 times by a hatchet-like object, with several blows crushing through her skull. — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Sep. 2026 Raymond James Stadium is where the Cleveland Browns (0-1) will trade blows with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-1) on Sunday, September 20, 2026. — Data Skrive, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026 The attacks this summer caused an unprecedented fuel crisis and dealt crippling blows to the booming e-commerce sector. — ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026 Their failure was perceived as part of a pattern of significant blows to union power during the Reagan era. — Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blows
Verb
  • As the curtains pull back, she is revealed standing over the corpse with a bloodied trophy in her hands as the audience gasps.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2026
  • At this, the paddock gasps in unison.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 12 June 2026
Verb
  • Now, his son told members of Congress, Salgado Araujo’s wife spends those evenings visiting her husband’s grave at the cemetery.
    — Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Daliah Singer is a freelance journalist based in Denver, Colorado, who spends a lot of time daydreaming about where to travel next.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Once the mook is within blasting range, Reacher explodes the tank with a bullet — making both the man and the floor as holey as Swiss cheese.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Control Resonant, the sequel, takes most of that game’s gorgeous visual language and explodes it all over an open-world New York City, to mesmerizing results.
    — Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 18 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • After the cannon booms shatters these boxes, the ensemble tumbles together in a finale worthy of Tchaikovsky.
    — Carlos Valladares, ARTnews.com, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Diesel shatters all-time records Diesel, a crucial fuel that powers trucks, trains, tractors and boats, has never been more expensive than today.
    — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Walker had four explosive rushes in the game, including a 60-yard touchdown.
    — Daniel Popper, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Freshman Marshall Faulk of San Diego State rushes for an NCAA record 386 yards and scores seven touchdowns in his second collegiate game.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • DeLand was driving inside the 20 yard line and Taihj Moore fumbles, recovered by Lake Mary.
    — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Buford scored 17 points off three Gainesville fumbles on punt plays.
    — Jack Leo, AJC.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The project boasts collaborations with Ab-Soul, Larry June, Kendrick Lamar, Ohma and Tyga.
    — Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 20 Sep. 2026
  • England now boasts a record of 23 wins from its last 26 games in the shortest international format and has moved back ahead of India in the T20 ranking.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • This plant flowers year-round and, like all abutilon cultivars, is not water needy.
    — Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 30 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Blows.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blows. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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