as in hitting
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
sick of being insulted, he swung around and clocked his tormentor hard enough to knock him off his bar stool
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of clocking
Miyares referenced a Richmond Times-Dispatch report of a Virginia trooper clocking Jones at 116 miles per hour, framing him as unfit to enforce the law.
—
Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Released on November 4, the 10-episode series was immediately slammed by critics, clocking a flat 0% on Rotten Tomatoes.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
In a video captured by Entertainment Tonight, the Freakier Friday star, on hand to present, could be seen positively clocking Sweeney's daring ensemble, pointing up and down before giving the Euphoria actress, 28, a hug.
—Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
The new American Express Centurion Lounge at SLC American Express’s new Centurion Lounge at Salt Lake City International Airport is one of the largest in its portfolio of now 31 Centurion lounges worldwide, clocking in at nearly 18,000 square feet and accommodating roughly 350 guests.
—AFAR Media, 29 Oct. 2025
Melissa’s winds were consistently clocking at 185 mph.
—Grace White, Essence, 29 Oct. 2025
Both kids were clocking everything, and absorbing a few lessons that would help and hinder them down the line.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 27 Oct. 2025
In 2013, Tal Braude of Torrey Pines High School raced across the finish line at Fresno’s Woodward Park, clocking a 3-mile time of 15 minutes, 2 seconds.
—Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Oct. 2025
Markets tumbled on the back of the president’s tariff threat, with the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq each clocking their worst days since April.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 13 Oct. 2025
Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Released on November 4, the 10-episode series was immediately slammed by critics, clocking a flat 0% on Rotten Tomatoes.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
In a video captured by Entertainment Tonight, the Freakier Friday star, on hand to present, could be seen positively clocking Sweeney's daring ensemble, pointing up and down before giving the Euphoria actress, 28, a hug.
—Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
The new American Express Centurion Lounge at SLC American Express’s new Centurion Lounge at Salt Lake City International Airport is one of the largest in its portfolio of now 31 Centurion lounges worldwide, clocking in at nearly 18,000 square feet and accommodating roughly 350 guests.
—AFAR Media, 29 Oct. 2025
Melissa’s winds were consistently clocking at 185 mph.
—Grace White, Essence, 29 Oct. 2025
Both kids were clocking everything, and absorbing a few lessons that would help and hinder them down the line.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 27 Oct. 2025
In 2013, Tal Braude of Torrey Pines High School raced across the finish line at Fresno’s Woodward Park, clocking a 3-mile time of 15 minutes, 2 seconds.
—Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Oct. 2025
Markets tumbled on the back of the president’s tariff threat, with the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq each clocking their worst days since April.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 13 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clocking
Verb
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Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Nov. 2025
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After an incompletion on third down, McCashland’s 25-yard field goal attempt was no good, hitting the right upright with 17 seconds remaining in the half.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Miami's defense has struggled to keep opponents out of the end zone, allowing 27 points per game, but the offense has struggled just as much punching it in themselves, with the Dolphins only scoring 20 points per game, both of which rank in the bottom third of the league.—
Shaun McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
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Videos shared on social media showed federal agents pinning a man to the ground and punching him in the head.—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The right words can open doors the heart’s been knocking on for a while.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
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Once the buzz starts, fringe brands come knocking.—
Chris Cardillo,
Rolling Stone,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The van reaches home ground and no one talks and the only sound along that final stretch is El Camello slapping himself to scare away mosquitoes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
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First, rather than slapping a latex mask and makeup on Schuster-Koloamatangi, performance capture technology is used to have Dek’s face come alive with the actor’s expressions.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The legendary Public Enemy rapper and dating show debutante served as the guest judge on Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Night, in which the eight remaining couples hit the floor with head-banging routines set to a litany of iconic anthems.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Nov. 2025
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If someone does encounter a coyote, officials said to scare away the animal by yelling, using airhorns, banging pots and pans or throwing objects.—
Megan Forrester,
ABC News,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Instead of slamming it home, Antetokounmpo soared over the defenders to make an improbable catch, landed and flicked an on-target pass to Rollins for a corner 3 before falling out of bounds to give Milwaukee a 14-point lead.—
Eric Nehm,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
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His brief mention of the shutdown focused on slamming Democrats.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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An arrest warrant has been issued for a high school football player accused of intentionally smacking one of his opponents on the head at their game, according to investigators in North Florida.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
5 Nov. 2025
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In the season four premiere of Mayor of Kingstown, co-creators/writers Hugh Dillon and Taylor Sheridan waste no time smacking viewers with a sense of doom and gloom.—
Demetrius Patterson,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Afterwards, Munchak says agents pulled their car in front of hers and surrounded the vehicle, pounding on it, telling her to open the doors and pointing a gun at her.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
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The metal giants are currently pounding their way through a long-overdue tour of Australia and New Zealand, a six-date coast-to-coast swing for the M72 World Tour.—
Lars Brandle,
Billboard,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clocking. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.
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