as in punches
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
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Recent Examples of haymakers
After a double-overtime thriller to start the series, the teams have traded haymakers in the last five contests, setting up a one-game showdown for the right to play in the NBA Finals.
—
Andrew Greif, NBC news, 29 May 2026
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
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
From that moment on, the Bulldogs and the Wizards exchanged haymakers until the final minute.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
The latest haymakers thrown come courtesy of executive interviews in The Financial Times.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 23 Jan. 2026
The Broncos must not go down without throwing haymakers.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 18 Jan. 2026
The two heavyweights exchanged haymakers before Olivier caught Reaves with right hand and sent him to the ice.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
An all-time great and a two-time MVP trading haymakers in the form of go-ahead scores in the fourth quarter of a win-and-in environment.
—Chris Bumbaca, USA Today, 5 Jan. 2026
Andrew Greif, NBC news, 29 May 2026
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
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
From that moment on, the Bulldogs and the Wizards exchanged haymakers until the final minute.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
The latest haymakers thrown come courtesy of executive interviews in The Financial Times.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 23 Jan. 2026
The Broncos must not go down without throwing haymakers.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 18 Jan. 2026
The two heavyweights exchanged haymakers before Olivier caught Reaves with right hand and sent him to the ice.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
An all-time great and a two-time MVP trading haymakers in the form of go-ahead scores in the fourth quarter of a win-and-in environment.
—Chris Bumbaca, USA Today, 5 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for haymakers
Noun
-
For a sparsely populated state with only four votes in the Electoral College, Maine punches above its weight politically, which is reflected in the $300 million spent already by the campaigns and dark money Political Action Committees.—
David Millward,
The Washington Examiner,
7 June 2026
-
After punches were thrown, both players were suspended seven games.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
The biggest blows came from Garcia and Starling Marte.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
7 June 2026
-
Suddenly, Brooks began raining down blows on Sumner with a gutta-percha cane while an accomplice warded off lawmakers who tried to intervene.—
Rob Wolfe,
The Atlantic,
5 June 2026
Noun
-
Rapp, up on Taft Point, heard two thuds.—
Nick Paumgarten,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
Likewise, the score by Tony Doogan leans too heavily on generic electronic thuds, the kind that segue into a commercial break cliffhanger and an ad for blood pressure medicine.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Taking a few swipes at several AI companies, Apple’s software chief, Craig Federighi, took the time to emphasize the company’s focus on privacy and user experience.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
8 June 2026
-
Maxwell Bowman’s projection and video design are sharply on point, with clean and clear swipes and transitions that are the lifeblood of any live production.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Agents yelled from every direction, and the thumps of a news helicopter overhead were deafening.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
-
You’ll be thrown around in your seat, which moves in sync with the action, along with thumps in the back, splashes of water, blasts of air, smoke, and flashes of light.—
Benny Har-Even,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2026
Noun
-
Here, The Athletic reviews Everton’s season just gone — their first at Hill Dickinson Stadium and one of highs, lows, slaps and… toasters.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
-
Moxley didn’t need a pep talk, just some stiff slaps from Marina Shafir.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
Salerno threw all 10 innings for Central Catholic, allowing just four hits and one earned run while striking out 12.—
Kristina Banahan,
Boston Herald,
10 June 2026
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Rivero, who also singled in the third and has seven hits in his last seven at-bats, was removed in the fifth because of a left wrist injury.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
The 31-year-old shot a final round 65 to break away from a crowded field and win by three strokes.—
Kels Dayton,
Hartford Courant,
10 June 2026
-
Ryan died in 2004 at age 80, having endured two strokes.—
Louis Peitzman,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Haymakers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/haymakers. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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