as in swipe
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
the mama cat would give her kittens a cuff with a paw whenever they played too rough
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in bracelet
usually cuffs plural
something that physically prevents free movement
the policeman snapped the cuffs on and led the prisoner away to the car
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to sock
Related Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of cuff
Jenny Staletovich, Miami Herald, 19 July 2025
The man is then seen being cuffed by police as the crowd applauds his initial captors.
—Tom Tapp, Deadline, 14 July 2025
Mia Huelsbeck, People.com, 14 Sep. 2025
On Friday, the left-handed starter — who is recovering from a left rotator-cuff strain — made another rehab start with Triple-A Omaha.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cuff
Noun
As a deputy cuffed Van Lent in a small, fourth-floor courtroom, his wife, family and colleagues looked on, seated in chairs normally reserved for a jury, some in tears.
—Jenny Staletovich, Miami Herald, 19 July 2025
The man is then seen being cuffed by police as the crowd applauds his initial captors.
—Tom Tapp, Deadline, 14 July 2025
Verb
Its long sleeves, open-frontdesign, rib-trim cuffs, and pockets add to both its function and style.
—Mia Huelsbeck, People.com, 14 Sep. 2025
On Friday, the left-handed starter — who is recovering from a left rotator-cuff strain — made another rehab start with Triple-A Omaha.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cuff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cuff
Verb
-
This is a guy who swiped 32 bases a year ago and socked 28 homers two years ago.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The incentive to sock money inside retirement accounts instead of, say, a plain vanilla brokerage account is generally tied to tax breaks.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Where truth is boxed and shelved, not wrestled with.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Put frankly, dismissing intention has boxed the ivory tower into a corner for its ability to handle difficult conversations relating to religion.—
Matthew Mayhew,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Ma slapped me and was right to do so.—
Anahid Nersessian,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Trade tensions between Beijing and Washington have been on a rollercoaster ride in 2025, with both sides slapping escalating tariffs on each other.—
AFP,
Fortune,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Clean, dry, and chop fresh parsley and put it in ice cube trays.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
14 Sep. 2025
-
The praline starts out as a solid sweet before being chopped in a food processor into a paste.—
Caron Golden,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Cleveland star Jose Ramirez belted his 28th home run in the first inning.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
9 Sep. 2025
-
But the Rockies, as is their wont, made the Padres squirm, belting 14 hits, including a solo home run by Mickey Moniak in the ninth off Robert Suarez.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
After McNeil refused to get out of his car, Bowers smashed the driver’s side window, punched McNeil in the head and pulled him out of the SUV.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
-
But the biggest red flag comes in the first episode when Laura sees Cherry punch a guy on the street shortly after their first family dinner in London.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Chiefs crushed the Patriots that night, winning 41-14 at Arrowhead Stadium and Brady was benched after the Chiefs smacked him down.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Pinch-hitters Agustín Ramírez and Eric Wagaman then smacked consecutive RBI singles to deliver the Marlins their first lead of the series.—
Steve Gorten,
Miami Herald,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Arkansas held a 16-point lead in the second half against Texas Tech, but the Red Raiders rallied to win 85-83 in overtime to secure a trip to the Elite Eight and knock the Razorbacks out of the tournament.—
Michael Harley,
Arkansas Online,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Even 6 inches of swiftly moving water can forcefully knock you off your feet.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cuff. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share