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
Morgan blows a meeting with a publisher (Poorna Jagannathan, in her third of four high-profile TV role this year. — Judy Berman, Time, 22 Oct. 2026 Miami fans had plenty to stress about as the UM offense misfired and Florida State responded to potential knockout blows with huge plays. — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026 But when the final whistle blows, another job is often waiting for them the next morning. — Preston Fore, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026 The dark wind of a fatal illness blows through these letters and journals. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 13 Oct. 2026 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 Starritt reveals the harsher sides of entrepreneurship, including the constant scramble for venture capital, the difficult financial options, the unforeseen blows from uncontrollable world events, the grueling hours and more. — The Know, Denver Post, 13 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
Noun
There are really no blows to be given him but defensive ones. — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026 Along the way, Chrissy comes to blows with Klara, but then learns the robot is the best thing in her daughter’s life. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2026 The company has suffered from several high-profile legal blows this year that have resulted in multibillion-dollar penalties. — Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026 Ukraine and Russia trading energy infrastructure blows aren't helping the situation either. — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026 Deaton was well-prepared, brought the fire, and landed a number of blows that at times appeared to make Markey wince. — Jon Keller, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026 The incident, four years ago, was the culmination of a time when Udal suffered more blows than anyone can feasibly expect in a lifetime. — Paul Newman, New York Times, 14 Oct. 2026 The Hurricanes scored only moments later — oh, there was no penalty called on the blows to the head — and went on Sunday night to beat the Flyers 4-1. — ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026 Even with a human controlling the machine remotely, LaPenna was still trading blows with a heavy metal robot capable of putting real force behind its movements. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blows
Verb
  • No friends or strangers to share immediate laughs or gasps with, let alone notes afterward?
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • That hasn’t changed much on Heavy Is the Crown, especially since Cordae spends a chunk of this otherwise fleet and playful album lagging behind his sparring partner.
    — Dylan Green, Pitchfork, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Much of what corporate America spends on AI today funds exploratory pilots, a far cry from commercial deployments that generate measurable productivity gains.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • In other words, desire, in an unrepressed form, explodes the channels through which it is expected to flow.
    — Shanti Escalante-De Mattei, ARTnews.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • In the video, shared by Nixon on Instagram, Benton, Baranski and others in full regalia (bustles, corsets, the whole nine yards) huddle around the iPad of John Douglas Thompson, who plays Peggy’s father, before the room explodes.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • With their daughter away at college, Abby and husband Gordy (Arquette) are settling into life as empty nesters when the arrival of a mysterious young woman (Shouse) shatters their sense of safety.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The attack underscores a widening front in the Iran war and shatters a 2022 ceasefire that had largely halted fighting in Yemen’s civil war.
    — Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Bengals running back Corey Dillon rushes for an NFL single-game record 278 yards in a 31-21 victory over the Denver Broncos.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Defensive coordinator Corey Batoon dialed up more blitzes and two-high safety coverages in the second half, switching from a first-half strategy that was full of single-high and some three-man rushes.
    — PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • So the associate who fumbles a membership conversation doesn’t need a lecture.
    — Zaharia-Gabriel Sidere, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • DeLand was driving inside the 20 yard line and Taihj Moore fumbles, recovered by Lake Mary.
    — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Amenities and experiences Under Canvas Moab boasts a lineup of on-site programming.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Oct. 2026
  • For more than 50 years, Leather Honey has been producing a miraculously effective leather cleaner – with more than 33,000 positive reviews – and leather conditioner, which boasts more than 68,000 positive reviews.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 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 1 Nov. 2026.

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