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Definition of hitnext
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hit

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noun

hit (on or upon)

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verb (2)

hit (up)

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verb (3)

hit (upon)

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verb (4)

as in to encounter
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

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
Outsider Pictures is bringing Ferzan Ozpetek’s 2025 Italian box office hit Diamonds to three screens, the Angelika in NYC, Coral Gables in Miami and North Park in Buffalo, NY. Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 15 May 2026 Another hockey romance has hit small screens everywhere. Nasha Smith, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
Noun
Meanwhile, Georgia Tech (31-28) cycled through three pitchers while allowing Florida (50-10) six hits and nine walks. Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 May 2026 That’s a big hit, according to a C-suite marketer who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Brent Lang, Variety, 16 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for hit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hit
Verb
  • The puck had just slipped through Poehling’s skates when McNabb crunched Poehling into the boards, knocking him out for the rest of the game and prompting an official review.
    Eric Stephens, New York Times, 13 May 2026
  • Jones’ challenge has forced Thompson to match his fundraising and door-knocking efforts — both candidates have raised roughly $3 million, their campaigns said.
    Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
Verb
  • More experienced employees are able to bump other employees and take over their roles during lay-off periods.
    Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2026
  • In 2024, voters bumped it up to a half-cent.
    Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
Verb
  • While an org chart shows reporting lines, an operating model shows how work actually moves, how decisions are made and how outcomes are achieved.
    Sue Mysko, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
  • Varda’s goal is to provide an in-orbit environment to develop crystals for drugs under conditions that can never be achieved on Earth.
    Ramin Skibba, Scientific American, 15 May 2026
Noun
  • In addition to his clairvoyant recruitment of head coach Eric Roy, who had not coached a club for more than 11 years before his appointment by Brest, Lorenzi enjoyed success at Stade Francis Le Ble by picking up players on the cheap and selling them on at significant profit.
    Tom Williams, New York Times, 17 May 2026
  • And while the state has seen strong GDP growth in recent months, business groups still worry that this economic success could be stifled by limited job growth and economic uncertainty in the wake of federal policy changes.
    P.R. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2026
Noun
  • For a club already facing relegation on the pitch, their own fans may have just dealt them the final, crushing blow.
    Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2026
  • The decision by the Senate's parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, deals a blow to Trump and his administration, which has sought the money for security purposes related to the ballroom.
    Nolan D. McCaskill, USA Today, 17 May 2026
Verb
  • Now, a new study suggests researchers may have found the first drug regimen capable of rapid and sustaining relief from suicidal thoughts across a broad group of patients.
    Ariana Eunjung Cha, Washington Post, 19 May 2026
  • Minutes later, police also responded to the 3800 block of Salerno Street where, inside, officers found the two suspects dead.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2026
Verb
  • On the topic of arresting homeless people, moderators asked how Bianco's sheriff's office has been known to do.
    James Ward, USA Today, 15 May 2026
  • Patients were concerned too, and some asked Hulse what would happen to the new clinic after her team left.
    Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 15 May 2026
Verb
  • Chelsea’s squad demographic falls somewhere in between but is probably closer to the former than the latter, and a football legend with his resume should not encounter the authority problems faced by owner BlueCo’s previous hires.
    Liam Twomey, New York Times, 17 May 2026
  • Their deaths were not inevitable — they were exposed to, and in many cases were pushed harmful content online, the kind any child could encounter.
    Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 17 May 2026

Cite this Entry

“Hit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hit. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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