haymakers

noun

plural of haymaker
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

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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 haymakers Two teams have thrown haymakers at the defending champs, and both times Argentina has survived. — Nbc News, NBC news, 7 July 2026 In a heavyweight battle between two of the nation’s top programs, Georgia needed to find a way to connect on enough haymakers to eventually land the decisive blow against the Longhorns. — Hunter Delauder, AJC.com, 17 June 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for haymakers
  1. punches
  2. blows
  3. thuds
  4. swipes
  5. thumps
  6. slaps
  7. hits
  8. strokes
Noun
  • The Raiders are off Sunday before returning Monday morning, so their starting quarterback and star pass rusher will compete against each other again, though, Kubiak hopes, without any punches.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The welcoming rum punches were a nice introduction to the soft life that this resort offers you upon entry.
    — Datwon Thomas, VIBE.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of punches
Noun
  • After the dustups, the offense went from taking blows from the defense to delivering some of its own.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 July 2026
  • During the less than a minute-long elevator ride, the duo trading blows, according to the video.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
Definition of blows
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
Definition of thuds
Noun
  • And, in fact, for all of the shock value in his writing and swipes at the food establishment, Bourdain became extraordinarily generous and even sweet as his fame grew, quick to heap praise, especially for writers and chefs on the rise.
    — Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Using gestures and swipes on a traditional slab-style phone always felt cramped and imprecise when trying to pull off quick maneuvers.
    — Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 24 July 2026
Definition of swipes
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
Definition of thumps
Noun
  • Pro wrestling is often viewed as a fake form of fighting, but the flips, jumps and landings are very real — slaps and kicks landed on reddening skin echo throughout SPW’s venues.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 24 July 2026
  • Devers petulantly left the field, avoided handshakes and butt slaps in the dugout, and retreated to the clubhouse.
    — Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
Definition of slaps
Noun
  • Then, in the ninth, Boston strung together three hits and a walk, but Eli White lined out to center field to end the game.
    — Curt Anderson, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
  • George Kirby allowed one run on four hits, but exited after five innings with 99 pitches.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of hits
Noun
  • After shooting 70, Koepka was 3-under for the tournament, which gave him a T67 finish and put him 19 strokes behind the winner, Michael Brennan.
    — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Beginning Thursday, the Fort Worth Fire Department has been diverting ambulances carrying patients with trauma, strokes and STEMI heart attacks to other hospitals, according to Star-Telegram media partner WFAA-TV.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of strokes

Browse Nearby Words

haymaker
haymakers
hays
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Cite this Entry

“Haymakers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/haymakers. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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