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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 haymakers
Soler was throwing haymakers, while López was throwing punches to fend him off.
—
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2026
From that moment on, the Bulldogs and the Wizards exchanged haymakers until the final minute.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
The best in the world kept throwing haymakers at one another, run after run.
—Zak Keefer, New York Times, 15 Feb. 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
These teams are trading haymakers.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 22 Oct. 2025
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2026
From that moment on, the Bulldogs and the Wizards exchanged haymakers until the final minute.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
The best in the world kept throwing haymakers at one another, run after run.
—Zak Keefer, New York Times, 15 Feb. 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
These teams are trading haymakers.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 22 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for haymakers
Noun
-
The 42-year-old Swanson overmatched Landwehr with a bevy of punches to the head before referee Herb Dean stepped in to stop the fight with 54 seconds left in the opening round.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
This Midwestern city, which hosted the country’s first-ever rock concert in 1952, punches above its weight in everything from cuisine to the arts to parks, and is home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, often cited as one of Ohio’s top tourist attractions.—
Paul J. Heney,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But outside of these rare exceptions, Mario’s pugilism was quickly retired in lieu of hammer hits and kid-friendly blows.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
5 Apr. 2026
-
As a new generation of commanders rises within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps following recent military blows under Operation Epic Fury, analysts warn that this ideology may become even more entrenched.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The room fills with the sound of meditative thuds against caribou skin drums and the haunting, throaty vocals of several Tasiilaq men and women.—
Megan Spurrell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Muffled thuds are heard, and the crying stops.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Denver Post gave Friednash, a corporate Democratic centrist mouthpiece, the opportunity to take swipes at Melat Kiros, who garnered nearly two-thirds of the caucus vote for the 1st Congressional District race.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Xi’s outreach to Cheng came along with overt swipes at Taiwan’s current government under President Lai Ching-te, who is shunned by Beijing as a dangerous ‘separatist’ for rejecting China’s claim that Taiwan is its territory.—
Janis Mackey Frayer,
NBC news,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In Guyana’s capital city of Georgetown, neighbors can still hear the thumps.—
Tyler Jett,
Des Moines Register,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Leonard extended his 20-point streak to 49 straight games with 27 points on 9-of-19 shooting, welcoming hand slaps from teammates after hitting his second 3-pointer late in the game.—
Janis Carr,
Oc Register,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The Singers centers on an impromptu sing-off in a bar, whereas Two People Exchanging Saliva explores a society where kissing is punishable by death, and people pay for things by receiving slaps to the face.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
López pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing three hits with seven strikeouts and two walks.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Kirby gave up six hits over eight innings in his second career complete game — both losses in eight-inning outings — as Mariners lost a series for the first time in 10 meetings with the Rangers going back to September 2023.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The earliest paintings on view, produced while Duchamp was still a teenager, are pleasant, innocuous landscapes dominated by chunky strokes of green—Post-Impressionism lite.—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Each week will emphasize a few strokes and incorporate strategies for using them while playing.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Haymakers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/haymakers. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
