hit (upon)

as in to find
to come upon unexpectedly or by chance the popular belief that Sir Isaac Newton hit upon his understanding of gravity at the sight of an apple falling from a tree

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hit (upon)
Verb
  • There, a tactical response team found a man lying dead with a weapon nearby, whom authorities believe was the shooter.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 1 July 2025
  • If finding indoor shelter is not an option: Steer clear of open fields, hilltops, or ridge tops.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Foot traffic is the point: business travelers, families, and curious locals encounter art without intimidation.
    Byron Armstrong, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
  • That was the first thing that came to my mind: A woman who disguises herself as a man, encounters a man who disguises himself as a woman.
    Marta Balaga, Variety, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • Freddie's breed can come across as less threatening than other, larger dogs, creating a calmer environment for everyone.
    Adam Hudacek, CBS News, 9 July 2025
  • One mom from Iowa came across one of Erin’s videos on Christmas Eve — almost a year after Erin began sharing publicly.
    Jordan Greene, People.com, 8 July 2025
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Hit (upon).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hit%20%28upon%29. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

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