hit 1 of 2

verb

ˈhit How to pronounce hit (audio)
Definition of hitnext
1
as in to knock
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner a good carpenter hits a nail just two or three times to drive it in

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2
as in to bump
to come into usually forceful contact with something when she fell on the ice, she hit hard and badly bruised her elbow

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to achieve
to obtain (as a goal) through effort the rock band hit "the big time" with their third album

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hit

2 of 2

noun

1
as in success
a person or thing that is successful the new babysitter turned out to be a hit with the kids

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in blow
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument the quarterback can't take too many more hits like that and escape permanent injury

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 hit
Verb
The partnership also follows Ferguson collaborating with Osgood Perkins on earlier box office hits like Longlegs and The Monkey. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2026 Wheeler, 35, has another year left on her deal, but a $625,000 cap hit for a player who would be a backup point guard on most teams is a tough sell. — Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026
Noun
The historic accident, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,500 people, was dramatized in the 1997 hit movie Titanic, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026 Phillips said this was such a hit that the ACC has made a commitment to showing those interactions for a greater percentage of ACC games this season. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for hit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hit
  1. knock
  2. bump
  3. achieve
  4. success
  5. blow
  6. slap
  7. collide
  8. win
Verb
  • While setting up an attack near the France box, midfielder Dani Olmo overcame a hard challenge that knocked him down to play a through ball to Pedro Porro.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
  • Even just 6 inches of swiftly moving water can forcefully knock you off your feet.
    — Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 15 July 2026
Definition of knock
Verb
  • Wembanyama could have put language in his extension that bumped his salary up to 30% of the cap with any of those league honors.
    — Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
  • There’s Swain in a Texas Longhorns jersey, bumping defenders off-balance with his hip and scooping the ball out of the reach of outstretched hands.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026
Definition of bump
Verb
  • Researchers achieve this by mounting a lightweight backpack, which houses a microcontroller, a radio receiver, and a power source, on the insect.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 July 2026
  • Panelists warned about a future where Christian nationalists subvert democratic systems in order to achieve a larger goal of garnering special power and privilege for Christians.
    — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026
Definition of achieve
Noun
  • The president of the Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership (ANDP) said the law is an important step forward, but its long-term success will depend on cooperation between federal, state and local leaders.
    — Nakell Williams, CBS News, 14 July 2026
  • Atlanta’s formula for success included 16 second-chance points, 21 points off turnovers and 35 rebounds.
    — Micahya Costen, AJC.com, 14 July 2026
Definition of success
Noun
  • Iran has been degraded by over 13,000 strikes, but has survived and reconstituted, rather than suffering a mortal blow.
    — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
  • The woman, 41-year-old Ja’Marlette Hardy, bit one of the officers during the July 1 encounter, which led to the officer delivering a blow to her head.
    — Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 17 July 2026
Definition of blow
Verb
  • But when their panel ended, the sports stars got into a heated exchange that ended with Brady slapping Paul in the face.
    — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 18 July 2026
  • Helmut Haller, West Germany vs England, 1966 Ray Wilson misjudges his headed clearance, Haller gathers it on the edge of the box and, just before Bobby Moore can close him down, slaps a right-footed shot into the far corner.
    — Adam Hurrey, New York Times, 17 July 2026
Definition of slap
Verb
  • Video showed Quansah’s studs colliding with Gallardo’s calf and the referee issued Quansah a red card that delighted the crowd as England’s lineup was reduced to 10 men.
    — Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Mexican keeper Raúl Rangel charged out and collided with Gordon and was immediately whistled for a penalty.
    — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
Definition of collide
Verb
  • Boise State won the 1980 NCAA Division I-AA (now FCS) national championship in Setencich’s first season, defeating Eastern Kentucky, 31-29, in the title game.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 17 July 2026
  • The former three-time major winner has been all but forgotten by his former peers in the PGA, in part because his son is now a rising star who’s won a couple of tournaments.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 16 July 2026
Definition of win

Phrases Containing hit

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histrionics
hit
hit-and-miss
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Cite this Entry

“Hit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hit. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on hit

Nglish: Translation of hit for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hit

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