Definition of high-hatnext
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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
  • Hélène was born into a world of Russian nobles in exile who transposed their aristocratic geography onto the suburbs of Paris (Meudon, where Hélène grew up, became Miedonsk) and whose Russophone children only began learning French at school.
    — Madeleine Wulfahrt, New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2026
  • And yet these engravings are informed by the artist’s signature subversive irony, incorporating French aristocratic styles to elevate Haitians bent on destroying French colonial power.
    — Elisa Turner, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Using an acronym meant for minor zoning squabbles against resistance to a massive, 80 mph express train slicing through dense residential blocks is an arrogant posture that completely obscures the true nature of this unconscionable project.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Steve Buscemi as Harry’s regular fence; Tatiana Maslany as his estranged daughter; and Will Price as the arrogant, heat-packing scion of a Manhattan crime family also star.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • As of Sunday, Morin was one month into the suspension handed down by the state Supreme Court that disdained the opinion of professional discipline case referee, Judge Paul Anthony Damico.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • Lip liner ranked among the strongest prestige makeup segments, though those numbers don’t isolate demand for concealer lips or anti-blush specifically.
    — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The investigation is ongoing, but preliminarily, investigators believe the shooting was isolated and there’s no ongoing threat to the public, Kellogg said.
    — Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • When teams used to do this to Denver coach Mike Shanahan, Terrell Davis put on his hard hat, grabbed his lunch pail and went to work.
    — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 4 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • Witnesses told sheriff’s investigators that an argument occurred earlier that evening after Valle confronted Adrian Vega about disrespecting a woman.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Republican groups have also accused el Sayed of disrespecting black voters.
    — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 2 Nov. 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
  • Her dangling tongue, tuft of Troll doll-esque blond hair, and pink ribbon juxtaposed with an occasional top hat give her a quirky, sometimes unsettling charm.
    — Jennifer Byrne, Popular Science, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Damon is wearing a top hat, a white shirt with an ascot, tucked into a long coat with slacks.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 1 Nov. 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 Nov. 2026.

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