as in to hit
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
an overhead branch suddenly fell and bonked him on the head
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bonk
Stelton wrote that the short-term chance of an eruption is akin to the probability of getting bonked in the head by a baseball — while standing outside a major league stadium.
—
Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 3 Jan. 2025
Miss Manners cannot entirely guarantee, however, that your finger will not bonk your nose instead — particularly after the second or third old-fashioned.
—Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 2 Aug. 2024
In a split second, Jaden decided to one-up Carolyn’s cruelty and bonked her in the head repeatedly with the fire poker.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 24 July 2024
An argument ensues between two of the officials that ends when the not-quite-dead man gets bonked on the head with a mace.
—David Plazas, The Tennessean, 17 Apr. 2024
See All Example Sentences for bonk
Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 3 Jan. 2025
Miss Manners cannot entirely guarantee, however, that your finger will not bonk your nose instead — particularly after the second or third old-fashioned.
—Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 2 Aug. 2024
In a split second, Jaden decided to one-up Carolyn’s cruelty and bonked her in the head repeatedly with the fire poker.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 24 July 2024
An argument ensues between two of the officials that ends when the not-quite-dead man gets bonked on the head with a mace.
—David Plazas, The Tennessean, 17 Apr. 2024
See All Example Sentences for bonk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bonk
Verb
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The ball popped up in the air and Bolton was there to grab it, except he was hit by teammate Drue Tranquill.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
7 Oct. 2025
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Hikers hit Goat Trail Hill 'n Dale Hiking Club will hike Thursday along the Goat Trail to Steel Creek on the Buffalo National River.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The back half of the New York Film Festival delivered a secret screening of a solid Academy Award contender, the box office smacked down a Venice Film Festival award winner, and two major contenders in the acting fields up and switched their categories.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
10 Oct. 2025
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Their best chance against him came in the first inning when Kyle Schwarber smacked a one-out double to right.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Lawrence attempted to go over the pile on a fourth-down snap from the 1-yard line, but Bolton greeted him there, slapping the ball away and forcing a fumble inches before the ball reached the line.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
7 Oct. 2025
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After Demercado gave up the ball too early, Gannon is seen in the video walking by him and appearing to slap his arm — while his teammates console the TCU product.—
Anna Lazarus Caplan,
PEOPLE,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The sow hit the barrel with her chin, the force of her momentum knocking Duane on his back.—
Marguerite Reiss,
Outdoor Life,
9 Oct. 2025
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In Modena, a cooper knocks on oak to hear if the barrel will sing.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Gilbert, who graduated from the district’s New School For Community Service in 2008, recalled banging the rhythm on his desk as a teenager.—
Kayla Huynh,
jsonline.com,
10 Oct. 2025
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One of the loudest voices was 29-year-old Neil Lothamer, of Indianapolis, who added pot-banging to his chorus.—
Marissa Meador,
IndyStar,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But did Swift need to punch down to fulfill the concept?—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
8 Oct. 2025
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In the late matchup, the Dodgers have a chance to punch their ticket to the NLCS.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Riley Greene whacked a 96-mph fastball that snuck over the right-field fence for Detroit’s second run.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
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Cal thumped the Beavers, whacked Texas Southern and outlasted Minnesota.—
Jon Wilner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Mariners bullpen immediately reacted in the moment, clapping and giving Turner thumbs-up in support.—
Brittany Ghiroli,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
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Once the video ended, fans clapped and left the theater.—
Brittany Spanos,
Rolling Stone,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bonk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bonk. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
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