1
as in bins
a covered rectangular container for storing or transporting things
filled a whole box with books
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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?
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
‘pemi Aguda, Literary Hub, 6 May 2026
Quince has denim that checks all those boxes.
—Jacquelyn McGilvray, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026
Questions and responses flow as a continuous interplay of thoughts instead of operating in abrupt pull-away dialogue boxes.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 6 May 2026
Outside, on the patio, boxes of Jenga had been set out for the wallflowers.
—Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
The nests also serve as sort of warehouses for any additional materials the birds might need to shore up their original nests, and lastly, nesting boxes that appear occupied keep other cavity dwelling birds from moving into the wrens’ territory.
—Joan Morris, Mercury News, 4 May 2026
While some investors prefer to hold coins personally for immediate access, others are turning to bank deposit boxes or professional vault storage.
—Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 4 May 2026
Wright suggests using wooden trays or boxes as purposeful accents.
—Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 4 May 2026
This special set includes two chirashi boxes, a bouquet of flowers and a bottle of Laurent-Perrier champagne.
—Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026
Julia Gomez, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Nick Phillips, with Applied Digital, said the tax exemption ban effectively boxes out data centers from building in South Dakota.
—Makenzie Huber, States Newsroom, 19 Feb. 2026
The rich Redfellows get dispatched one by one in scenes that are fun but empty — neither cathartic nor comic, simply boxes to be checked off to great big poundings of thunder and harpsichords.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
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
Noun
Hawkers hitched boxes higher and nudged each other to behold the spirited pregnant woman.
—‘pemi Aguda, Literary Hub, 6 May 2026
Quince has denim that checks all those boxes.
—Jacquelyn McGilvray, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026
Questions and responses flow as a continuous interplay of thoughts instead of operating in abrupt pull-away dialogue boxes.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 6 May 2026
Outside, on the patio, boxes of Jenga had been set out for the wallflowers.
—Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
The nests also serve as sort of warehouses for any additional materials the birds might need to shore up their original nests, and lastly, nesting boxes that appear occupied keep other cavity dwelling birds from moving into the wrens’ territory.
—Joan Morris, Mercury News, 4 May 2026
While some investors prefer to hold coins personally for immediate access, others are turning to bank deposit boxes or professional vault storage.
—Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 4 May 2026
Wright suggests using wooden trays or boxes as purposeful accents.
—Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 4 May 2026
This special set includes two chirashi boxes, a bouquet of flowers and a bottle of Laurent-Perrier champagne.
—Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
The cardboard boxes the food is packaged in are also being resold online, with one user selling them for $15 each.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Nick Phillips, with Applied Digital, said the tax exemption ban effectively boxes out data centers from building in South Dakota.
—Makenzie Huber, States Newsroom, 19 Feb. 2026
The rich Redfellows get dispatched one by one in scenes that are fun but empty — neither cathartic nor comic, simply boxes to be checked off to great big poundings of thunder and harpsichords.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
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
-
Joe Rodon clips a pass over the top of the Brentford defence for Calvert-Lewin to contest.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2026
-
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
Verb
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David then rushes forward and punches Niemi in the back of the head at least twice, according to the video.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
Malcolm Arnold’s 2,000-square-foot business, Apple Core Electronics, on Flushing Avenue in Bushwick makes exterior intercom panels, sets their wiring, punches buttons and engraves addresses.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Gagen, who hits left-handed, started the season setting but moved to full-time hitting.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2026
-
Jackson’s hits compilation Number Ones is at Number 13, the Michael soundtrack is at Number 37, and The Essential Michael Jackson is at Number 158.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
At that house, no one answered a Statesman reporter’s knocks on Monday, but Davidson told the Statesman that his family owns the whole lot.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Apr. 2026
-
For one thing, precedent says that Waddle’s production this fall should, health permitting (knocks on wood), just about double whatever numbers Cooper puts out as a rookie for the J-E-T-S in 2026.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Irons pounds the drums like Bam-Bam smashing on two garbage-can lids.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Macron said France is expending diplomatic capital to ensure a return to calm and to allow for the Lebanese armed forces to assert themselves as Israel pounds Hezbollah positions.—
Sylvie Corbet,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The boy smacks him in the mouth and then immediately starts crying.—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Apr. 2026
-
An attack rears its ugly head, and the security team smacks it down.—
Neil J. Rubenking,
PC Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Anderson slaps his hit down the right field line, just fair.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2026
-
At the end of the night, during the bows, Butler slaps the guys playing her two antagonists gently on their butts, a gesture that would have jarred in most stagings but fully in keeping with the inclusive, humanistic vibe of this production.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In other words, automatic registration slams the courthouse door on women, but not on men, because registration is its own injury.—
Wendy Murphy,
Boston Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
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In the standard picture, particles gain energy at a termination shock, where the pulsar wind slams into surrounding material.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Boxes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boxes. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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