1
as in bins
a covered rectangular container for storing or transporting things
filled a whole box with books
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2
as in coffins
a boxlike container for holding a dead body
the only way I'm ever leaving this hospital room is in a box
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3
as in TVs
an electronic device with a screen and speakers that reproduces images and sound
would you switch on the box so that we can watch the news?
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4
as in pickles
a difficult, puzzling, or embarrassing situation from which there is no easy escape
with our new home still unfinished, and the buyers of our condo eager to move in, we were in a real box
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as in punches
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
the vicious bully delivered a box to the child's ear
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as in clips
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
his mother threatened to box his ears if he didn't show a bit more respect
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of boxes
Arkansas Online, 6 Feb. 2026
Volunteers packed hundreds of boxes each week and a line of cars would stretch out from the mosque to the road.
—Dallas Morning News, 5 Feb. 2026
For many affluent buyers, Dubai increasingly checks all three boxes.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 5 Feb. 2026
On the surface Kiner-Falefa checks a lot of boxes for the Red Sox.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
The Chirashi Box + Champagne ($200) includes two chirashi boxes and a bottle of Laurent-Perrier Champagne.
—Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026
There was already an active investigation with several victims who had their rent money stolen from apartment drop boxes.
—Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
One of the two entrances to Elephant Valley is outfitted with bee boxes; bees are known to be a natural elephant deterrent and can help in preventing the animals from disrupting crops or communities.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
The Cedarshed Western Red Cedar Ranch House Storage Shed skews more toward a tiny home than a place for stashing gardening tools thanks to its inviting, cabin-style appearance and plethora of charming features like a porch and flower boxes.
—Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 4 Feb. 2026
Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 21 Dec. 2025
This, alas, also boxes his constituents in.
—U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Nov. 2025
To mark the occasion, Crumbl is also releasing limited-edition Martha Stewart boxes for its six-pack orders — perfect for gifting or adding a touch of elegance to any gathering.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2025
This all played out just after the museum had opened, with bystanders able to video one suspect in a high-visibility vest standing at one of the glass boxes housing historical treasures.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 20 Oct. 2025
That confusion is further reflected by the manic hyper-subjectivity of Bronstein’s filmmaking, which boxes Linda into a close-up so tight that everything around her — especially her unnamed daughter, who almost never appears on screen — might as well be a disembodied echo of her own anxiety.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
The coal is usually placed in boxes that are hoisted to the surface with pulleys.
—Arkansas Online, 6 Feb. 2026
Volunteers packed hundreds of boxes each week and a line of cars would stretch out from the mosque to the road.
—Dallas Morning News, 5 Feb. 2026
For many affluent buyers, Dubai increasingly checks all three boxes.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 5 Feb. 2026
On the surface Kiner-Falefa checks a lot of boxes for the Red Sox.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
The Chirashi Box + Champagne ($200) includes two chirashi boxes and a bottle of Laurent-Perrier Champagne.
—Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026
There was already an active investigation with several victims who had their rent money stolen from apartment drop boxes.
—Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
One of the two entrances to Elephant Valley is outfitted with bee boxes; bees are known to be a natural elephant deterrent and can help in preventing the animals from disrupting crops or communities.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
The Cedarshed Western Red Cedar Ranch House Storage Shed skews more toward a tiny home than a place for stashing gardening tools thanks to its inviting, cabin-style appearance and plethora of charming features like a porch and flower boxes.
—Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
Toe tap on the sideline for 17, then boxes out Greg Newsome for 14 more.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 21 Dec. 2025
This, alas, also boxes his constituents in.
—U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Nov. 2025
To mark the occasion, Crumbl is also releasing limited-edition Martha Stewart boxes for its six-pack orders — perfect for gifting or adding a touch of elegance to any gathering.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2025
This all played out just after the museum had opened, with bystanders able to video one suspect in a high-visibility vest standing at one of the glass boxes housing historical treasures.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 20 Oct. 2025
That confusion is further reflected by the manic hyper-subjectivity of Bronstein’s filmmaking, which boxes Linda into a close-up so tight that everything around her — especially her unnamed daughter, who almost never appears on screen — might as well be a disembodied echo of her own anxiety.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boxes
Verb
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The holder clips right to your pack or waders and keeps everything in a neat, easy-to-dispense stack.—
Francesca Krempa,
Outside,
23 Dec. 2025
-
The carry handles each have a magnetic piece that then clips together to form a single bar to grasp.—
Adam Campbell-Schmitt,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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For podcasts, streams, voiceovers and video calls, this unit punches above its weight.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
24 Jan. 2026
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This is really reminding me of that House episode where the runway model punches another model out and then collapses on the catwalk.—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
For Rios, the celebration hits home — quite literally — as a Bay Area native.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The deadline that will accompany the NHL’s Olympic roster freeze, which hits at noon Pacific Time on Wednesday, shouldn’t be viewed as a prequel for the actual trade deadline.—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Opportunity knocks on software stocks, including Microsoft (MSFT), Salesforce (CRM), and ServiceNow (NOW), which all got slammed in Thursday's trading amid pressure on the software sector ETF (IGV) from artificial intelligence (AI) disruption concerns.—
Jeff Kilburg,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
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Julio Cesar Chavez suffers his first loss in 91 fights when Frankie Randall knocks him down in the 11th round and wins the WBC super lightweight championship on a split decision.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In the present, Simon (now played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) pounds his car’s steering wheel, driving away from wreckage.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
27 Jan. 2026
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The claw then releases the broken bikes and pounds them down once more for good measure.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Squad' rep's felon husband smacks phone from reporter 3.—
,
FOXNews.com,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Just as this monster is about to take out the entire team on the Abyss, a giant boulder flies through the air and smacks him in the face.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Boston Blue slaps a fresh coat of paint on Blue Bloods, the CBS procedural that ended its 14-season run last year.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
20 Dec. 2025
-
Speaking with Cocoa Butter about her most memorable roles, Calloway revealed that the moment Ike slaps Jackie came across so emotional and raw because the stunt went wrong.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
5 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Continue reading … POLITICS BAD CALL – Trump admin slams Dems’ ‘call 911 on ICE’ push as reckless, links policy to riots and violent arrests.—
,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Winter storm slams the East While Arizona's system is mostly a light-rain and mountain-snow setup, a sprawling winter storm is creating far bigger problems across the eastern half of the country.—
Hayleigh Evans,
AZCentral.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Boxes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boxes. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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