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
Relevance
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 bonk
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
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
That pickleball game on the driveway was pure pandemonium, and Joan almost got bonked in the face with a ball.
—Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 20 Sep. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for bonk
David Plazas, The Tennessean, 17 Apr. 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
That pickleball game on the driveway was pure pandemonium, and Joan almost got bonked in the face with a ball.
—Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 20 Sep. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for bonk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bonk
Verb
-
Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton hit the game-winning shot, crossing over Antetokounmpo and driving to the basket for a right-handed layup with 1.3 seconds left.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
2 May 2025
-
The western starring Alec Baldwin, who also came up with the story and serves as a producer, was hit by tragedy during production in October 2021 when Baldwin’s prop gun discharged during a rehearsal, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and also injuring director-screenwriter Joel Souza.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
1 May 2025
Verb
-
Guests can also hop a free shuttle to the hotel’s sister property, Skylark Negril Beach Resort, smack on Seven Mile Beach.—
Laura Begley Bloom,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
-
Someone on the other team took a shot at him, and the puck tipped right under his visor and hit him in the eye, squarely smacking him right in the eyeball.—
Meredith Wilshere,
People.com,
27 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Local News In 2020, Jennifer Vasquez alleged he was kicked, slapped and shoved by husband In a 2020 protective order, Jennifer Vasquez alleged that her husband verbally abused, kicked, slapped, and shoved her.—
Mikenzie Frost,
Baltimore Sun,
1 May 2025
-
The film, a part of the sprawling Marvel franchise, was approved for release in China before Washington and Beijing slapped tit-for-tat tariffs on each other.—
Casey Hall and Sophie Yu,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
Verb
-
The actor, then 20, was at home that day with his family in Pompano Beach, Fla., when detectives knocked on the door.—
Brianne Tracy,
People.com,
2 May 2025
-
And in Game 5, Doncic injured his back, James knocked knees and Reaves struggled with his outside shot and ability to create separation off drives.—
Dan Woike,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2025
Verb
-
That’s when residents all over the city threw open their windows and climbed onto fire escapes, clapping, banging pots and pans, and shouting at full volume to salute the health care workers who were battling a novel coronavirus that had overrun the city.—
Christina Ray Stanton,
New York Daily News,
26 Apr. 2025
-
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Smith banged his wrist while tagging out Ian Happ at a play at the plate.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
That trend already spiraled into real-world hostility in 2024; while the song played at a bar in Germany, a crowd reportedly yelled slurs at a Black woman and punched her in the face, with one man allegedly Nazi-saluting.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
30 Apr. 2025
-
Niemann punched his ticket to the U.S. Open at Oakmont in June with his win in Mexico City.—
Scott Soshnick,
Sportico.com,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
One day Dave whacked the laurel hedge down to sturdy stumps, like dinosaurs fossilized midstride.—
Murr Brewster,
Christian Science Monitor,
16 Apr. 2025
-
Then, Crosby instinctively whacked at the puck and absolutely buried it top shelf.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Video footage of the incident obtained by the outlets showed the passengers clapping and cheering when the flight finally took off for Albania.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
People.com,
28 Apr. 2025
-
That’s when residents all over the city threw open their windows and climbed onto fire escapes, clapping, banging pots and pans, and shouting at full volume to salute the health care workers who were battling a novel coronavirus that had overrun the city.—
Christina Ray Stanton,
New York Daily News,
26 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bonk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bonk. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share