bonks

verb

present tense third-person singular of bonk
as in slaps
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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bonks
  1. slaps
  2. knocks
  3. smacks
  4. bangs
  5. hits
  6. whacks
  7. slams
  8. punches
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
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
Verb
  • The teriyaki aroma from the wings was almost strong enough to taste, and the flavor smacks you in the face from the first bite.
    — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 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
Verb
  • Especially the guy who bangs a wrecking ball against the historic East Wing to make room for an incongruous ballroom monstrosity, who mars the sacred Oval Office with gold glitter and paves over the lovely Rose Garden.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • When selecting the perfect of-the-moment style for you (Jane Birkin bangs?
    — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 8 June 2026
Definition of bangs
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
Verb
  • With runners on the corners, Martinez whacks a two-run, RBI double to tie it at five.
    — Zoe Collins Rath, Austin American Statesman, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Then little Holly Wheeler and her 10-year-old friends, including the Season 5 favorite Derek (Jake Connelly), all swarm into the basement and take over the D&D table in a passing of the torch that basically whacks the audience over our collective heads.
    — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025
Definition of whacks
Verb
  • This is happening as a demographic shift to an older, grayer population slams Colorado.
    — Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 5 July 2026
  • Taylor Sheridan slams critics Sheridan's series are all hits with regular people, but he's routinely been a target for critics.
    — David Hookstead OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of slams
Verb
  • And if the pizza isn’t enticing enough, Urban Cowboy’s cocktail program punches far above its weight class.
    — Beth Rankin, Denver Post, 27 July 2026
  • As the officer is pinned down, one person repeatedly punches her in the head while another appears to strike her with an unidentified object before a second officer intervenes.
    — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2026
Definition of punches
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

bonking
bonks
bonne
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Cite this Entry

“Bonks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bonks. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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