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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
The 45-year-old was acquitted of charges stemming from her being accused of leaving her boyfriend, John O’Keefe, in the snow after hitting him with her car outside a party, and of leaving the scene of an accident, causing death. Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 18 June 2025 On Becoming a Guinea Fowl will hit streaming on Friday, July 4, making its linear debut on HBO on Monday, July 7 at 8:00 p.m. ET. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 18 June 2025
Noun
News of the special Pride month menu has been a hit on social media, drawing customers. Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 19 June 2025 Overall, the technology industry took a hit in the last few years as macroeconomic conditions deteriorated and private capital contracted. Kate Drew, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for hit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hit
Noun
  • Lean in during hard times to see long-term success.
    Parna Sarkar-Basu, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
  • Building on the success of the brand’s 65th anniversary collection, the collection balances nostalgia with elevated fabrics and contemporary silhouettes.
    Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 16 June 2025
Noun
  • In another blow to China’s push to become a regional leader, India on Thursday rejected signing a joint statement facilitated by the Shanghai Cooperation Organization—one such grouping set up by China and Russia to counter U.S. influence.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 27 June 2025
  • The Senate parliamentarian has advised that a Medicaid provider tax overhaul central to President Donald Trump’s tax cut and spending bill does not adhere to the chamber’s procedural rules, delivering a crucial blow as Republicans rush to finish the package this week.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • The French actor is coming off recent French blockbusters The Three Musketeers, parts 1 and 2, and Quentin Dupieux’s 2024 Cannes festival opener The Second Act.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 17 June 2025
  • Then, a blockbuster trade in February dealt superstar Luka Dončić to the team, and saw the departure of James’ teammate and friend, Anthony Davis.
    Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 17 June 2025
Noun
  • Those embarrassing losses with ownership sitting in the expensive seats were a big-time slap in the face to the decision makers.
    James Mirtle, New York Times, 18 June 2025
  • The number of girl slaps exchanged between the governor and Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez over the state budget impasse.
    Pat Beall, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 June 2025
Noun
  • Ty France smacked a high fastball off the wall in right field to drive in the Twins’ first run of the game, and Royce Lewis added an RBI knock later in fourth.
    Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 11 June 2025
  • McNeil’s winning hit Tuesday was his second RBI knock of the night.
    Tim Britton, New York Times, 10 June 2025
Noun
  • As its infectious message, hip hop hook, gentle-against-forceful thump, radiates further into the zeitgeist expect it be heard everywhere.
    Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 15 June 2025
  • The only noise was the low thump from a boombox in front of a boba shop.
    Kaitlyn Huamani, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2025
Noun
  • Unlike most fruity orange sauces, the Pickled Prince version isn’t sugar-forward — kumquats have the perfect mixture of sweet punch and pucker to complement the habanero.
    Ahmed Ali Akbar, Chicago Tribune, 18 June 2025
  • The Limoncello and Simply Lemonade deliver the perfect citrus punch, while fresh mint adds that clean, luxe finish.
    Essence, Essence, 17 June 2025
Noun
  • Then, the film falls with a thud, never to rise again.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 13 June 2025
  • One struck a police cruiser with a thud, prompting a big cheer.
    Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025

Cite this Entry

“Hit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hit. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

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