Definition of high-hatnext
1
2

high-hat

2 of 3

verb

high hat

3 of 3

noun

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 high-hat
Adjective
The sand crackling against the screen door became a high-hat drum. — Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2025 Over the last few years, a bevy of high-hat hotels have begun competing for the Big Apple’s best guests. — Christopher Cameron, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2025 The bass, high-hat, guitar, and vocals all remain distinct in this busy mix and benefit from strong detail when the track fully kicks in. — PCMAG, 10 July 2024
Noun
Listen to Pete’s old s—t, it was formulated, the high hats, the horn. — Angel Diaz, Billboard, 28 Aug. 2025 Instead of high hats, use wall washers, which bounce light off the walls and space. — Adam Shell, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2025 Carter Beauford, perhaps the most unheralded drummer in music, busied himself with syncopated patterns and dizzying high hat on the song. — Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 20 Oct. 2024 Deja stifled a yawn and cranked up her music; the warring bass and high hat thrummed in her chest and kept her mostly awake. — Brittany N. Williams, NOLA.com, 26 Oct. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for high-hat
Adjective
  • The aristocratic Spencer family has been buoying the yellow pages of The Sun, The Daily Mail, and The Mirror for nearly 50 years.
    — Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The latest lesson was about the aristocratic and bourgeois aspect of Gucci.
    — Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Elon Musk — Ike Barinholtz has Musk wandering in from another movie, or dimension, a ramble-y, arrogant but ultimately comically non-threatening figure.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The loud-mouthed cameos from ex-soccer players Zlatan Ibrahimović and Eric Cantona in Nike’s World Cup hero film Rip the Script were indicative of this, chiming with an older, more arrogant vision of Nike seen in the ’90s and the aughts.
    — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Scrutiny of Flock and other surveillance providers was largely bipartisan at the hearing, as did disdain for the company leaders not appearing.
    — Garrett Downs, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Other liberal economists disdain labor share as a useful metric, or see it as a distraction from sober policy analysis.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • We are constantly connected, yet often isolated, each with our own voice while genuine dialogue can be hard to achieve.
    — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • After the man arrived in Nairobi, his relatives took him in a private vehicle to Nairobi Hospital, where he was immediately isolated.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Sophie Cunningham put on her big girl pants and hard hat, and ventured into Canada for the first time in her life Tuesday night.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Police soon had images of a suspect – wearing a hard hat, tinted glasses and a face mask – spray-painting the security cameras around Fandrich's car early that morning, to apparently conceal the crime.
    — Lauren Clark, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • To Cardenas, and other members of her community, the mural disrespected both Vietnamese and Filipino cultures.
    — Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Supporters of the action claim that walking over the plaques disrespects victims, but Jewish leaders and German officials condemned the decision as an attack on the country’s culture of remembrance.
    — Jamey Keaten, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Primitive feathers O’Connor said some of the feathers looked highly similar to those present today in modern birds, with a central spine having a square cross section that would have helped make the feather stiff yet lightweight.
    — Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2026
  • But, no, the Kittrells attempted to stiff their creditors entirely by way of their Children's Trust.
    — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • More recently, Timothée Chalamet donned the top hat and cane in a prequel story, Wonka, exploring the life of the eccentric businessman and magician in an entirely new tale.
    — Sara Belcher, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Ken’s look is finished off with a removable black top hat with red rose detailing.
    — Tim Chan, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“High-hat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/high-hat. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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