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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of boxes
Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
On April 16, the OCTC seized four boxes with 97 files and downloaded numerous clients’ immigration documents from a pair of computers.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
The cereal boxes will be available starting Sunday, April 26, according to a news release.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
No surprising accounting charges were booked, and the cash flow performance checked multiple boxes.
—Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2026
The system features a network of 11 interconnected robotic boxes integrated into a single, cohesive framework.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 22 Apr. 2026
Luckily for Wembanyama and the Spurs, that gives him some days to potentially check those boxes needed to play.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026
But Kojsonk’s new business partner, Pramit Pradhan, says that Thai Zen will be adding Japanese bento boxes and edamame and that the name changed to show the Thai-Japanese concept.
—Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Apr. 2026
Instead of lethality, our military is focused on checking race/gender boxes.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
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
His ruling ticked all the relevant boxes.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
On April 16, the OCTC seized four boxes with 97 files and downloaded numerous clients’ immigration documents from a pair of computers.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
The cereal boxes will be available starting Sunday, April 26, according to a news release.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
No surprising accounting charges were booked, and the cash flow performance checked multiple boxes.
—Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2026
The system features a network of 11 interconnected robotic boxes integrated into a single, cohesive framework.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 22 Apr. 2026
Luckily for Wembanyama and the Spurs, that gives him some days to potentially check those boxes needed to play.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026
But Kojsonk’s new business partner, Pramit Pradhan, says that Thai Zen will be adding Japanese bento boxes and edamame and that the name changed to show the Thai-Japanese concept.
—Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Apr. 2026
Instead of lethality, our military is focused on checking race/gender boxes.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
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
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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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On instinct, Lindsay punches her in the face.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2026
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Seconds later, the man in a New York police vest punches the unidentified man in the face.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Michael hits theaters and Imax on Friday and stars Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson in his feature debut as the pop music icon.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Rico Nasty’s acting debut hits close to home.—
Alex Gonzalez,
Rolling Stone,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The female actually knocks him down to the ground.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
22 Apr. 2026
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Unfortunately, Lace delivers a kick that knocks Jinx on his back, inflaming an old injury.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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
-
An attack rears its ugly head, and the security team smacks it down.—
Neil J. Rubenking,
PC Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Then reality smacks you in the face.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Anderson slaps his hit down the right field line, just fair.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2026
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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
-
Hudson’s character plays dirty and slams Ness’ hand at tipoff.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
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On stage, Cameron Winter leads an overall enthralling performance, as the group slams out songs back-to-back with little to say in between; no shenanigans, just a top-notch show.—
Mikael Wood,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Boxes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boxes. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
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