haymaker

noun

ˈhā-ˌmā-kər How to pronounce haymaker (audio)
Definition of haymakernext
as in punch
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument dealt his opponent a haymaker that sent him reeling across the boxing ring

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 haymaker If Brunson is a knockout puncher, leaving opponents on the mat with devastating haymakers that turn the lights out, Anunoby specializes in body blows. — James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 28 May 2026 The challenge this season will be avoiding a haymaker from September and October. — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 15 May 2026 As both fighters were bloodied, Strickland said that Chimaev pointed to the mat near the end of the fifth round, which is a sign to fighters to start throwing haymakers. — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2026 Because similar efforts to the one put forth Wednesday will only yield similar results against this young, hungry Spurs team that responded to Minnesota’s Game 1 jab with a haymaker. — Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 7 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for haymaker
Recent Examples of Synonyms for haymaker
  1. punch
  2. blow
  3. thud
  4. slap
  5. thump
  6. swipe
  7. hit
  8. knock
Noun
  • Carter, for the Giants, earlier threw a punch at Paul in 1-on-1 drills.
    — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026
  • One of the suspects used a window punch tool to crack the booth window before kicking it in, police say.
    — Frederick Sutton Sinclair, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of punch
Noun
  • Ferran Torres Torres was not the first-choice striker for Spain at the World Cup, but that did not stop him from landing the decisive blow after his team-mates had spent 106 minutes dominating Argentina without a breakthrough.
    — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
  • But the federal agency that has required companies to collect and report demographic workforce data since 1966 is now working to end that practice, a move some critics say would be a huge blow to civil rights enforcement.
    — Mirtha Donastorg, AJC.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of blow
Noun
  • Crystal will also make a deep, long, ringing sound when it’s tapped, but glass will make a short thud.
    — Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The movement feels fluid but also brutally impactful when Wolvie lands claws-first on an unsuspecting enemy with a thud.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of thud
Noun
  • Getting caught circumventing the salary cap isn't some slap-on-the-wrist offense.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • In 2025, Wanda Sykes, who co-hosted the 2022 Oscars with Amy Schumer and Regina Hall, told Variety that Smith had apologized to her personally for disrupting the show with the slap.
    — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of slap
Noun
  • The lower-vocal harmony struggles to stand out any time the deeper bass thumps.
    — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Ramirez was Miami’s primary catcher as a rookie last season and can add some thump to Miami’s lineup, but his work defensively remains underwhelming.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of thump
Noun
  • The Argentina international attracted criticism last season for two red cards on the pitch and more than one apparent swipe at Spurs’ ownership.
    — Elias Burke, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • For instance, how about an American cap on credit card swipe fees?
    — Omid Malekan, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of swipe
Noun
  • Luis Arraez homered, Garrett Stubbs had two hits and an RBI and Aaron Nola tossed seven strong innings as the Philadelphia Phillies completed a three-game sweep of the Miami Marlins, 4-1 on Wednesday night.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Iran’s survival economy Iran’s economy has already taken a major hit from the war.
    — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of hit
Noun
  • Rivalries are a defining aspect of the drama on Palm Royale, but in season two, the claws literally came out in a knock-down, drag-across-the-house showdown between Kristen Wiig’s Maxine Dellacorte-Simmons and Claudia Ferri’s Raquel Kimberly-Marco.
    — Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Mudryk, a right-footed forward best known for playing down the left, is among Leeds’ preferred options and talks are ongoing with Chelsea, despite an initial knock-back.
    — Beren Cross, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of knock

Browse Nearby Words

haylofts
haymaker
haymakers
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Haymaker.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/haymaker. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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