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
Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
Other smart features include a scuba-style hood, zippered hand pockets, elastic binding at the cuffs, and a hem drawcord for a customized fit.
—Anne Taylor, Travel + Leisure, 5 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
Deputies gained control, removed the cuffs, and left the cell, the KBI said.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
Other smart features include a scuba-style hood, zippered hand pockets, elastic binding at the cuffs, and a hem drawcord for a customized fit.
—Anne Taylor, Travel + Leisure, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cuff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cuff
Verb
-
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
-
The Phillies socked some dingers.—
Matt Gelb,
New York Times,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
In a corner Reluctance to cut welfare spending and raise taxes, while promising big-ticket spending on the NHS, defense, infrastructure and education, means that Labour has boxed itself into a corner, Peel Hunt's Chief Economist Kallum Pickering told CNBC.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
3 Sep. 2025
-
You guys couldn’t even agree on the Animals box all those years.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Later that night Plumier demonstrates by swiftly slapping the limp green body of a bullfrog hard across his leg.—
Sophie Hartley,
IndyStar,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Garraty is forced to slap himself across the face to stay awake as Barkovitch taunts him.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Henry rushed for well over 100 yards on his first-down carries alone, and Jackson chopped Buffalo with his arm and legs.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Sprinkle chopped banana evenly over the filling.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
With Myles Straw on as a pinch runner, Bichette (4-for-4) belted a two-run homer to right-center against closer Emilio Pagan, and Daulton Varsho followed with a solo shot to right.—
Field Level Media,
Reuters,
1 Sep. 2025
-
Then, the Royals took control as Witt belted his 20th home run of the season to pave the way for closer Carlos Estévez to earn his 36th save.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Like the clang of bells, the sound bypassed my ears and punched the air from my lungs.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Sep. 2025
-
His video shows the worker being punched and stomped on as others attempted to intervene.—
Mike Stunson,
Kansas City Star,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The raw tuna got smacked with a Stop Sale.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
-
As of this publication, the final Conjuring movie starring Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as Ed and Lorraine Warren lands smack dab in the middle of the best and worst rated Conjuring Cinematic Universe films on Rotten Tomatoes.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Even 6 inches of swiftly moving water can forcefully knock you off your feet.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Even 6 inches of moving water can pose a serious risk of knocking you off your feet.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cuff. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share