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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
As one of the teens walked past Leto along the sidewalk and as another reached toward the bike, the proffer alleged, Leto aimed a pistol and shot, hitting one of the teens in the lower back. Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025 The 225-stock share average fell 0.67% to hit 40,233.53 at 9.10 a.m. local time, while the broader Topix index moved down 0.3% to 2,844.27. Asia-Pacific markets were set to open lower on Tuesday. Amala Balakrishner, CNBC, 30 June 2025
Noun
Singapore, a major Asian financial hub, has taken a hit to its reputation after several high-profile recent cases dented trust in the emerging crypto sector. Afp, Fortune, 30 June 2025 The video was a hit and gave his channel a significant boost. Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for hit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hit
Noun
  • During its nearly 25 years in operation, the rocket has experienced only a single launch failure, giving the vehicle a 98% success rate.
    Josh Dinner, Space.com, 28 June 2025
  • The Pac-12 wasn’t a very good basketball league in the final years of its previous existence, realignment didn’t spark newfound success and, for that reason, the sport is worse off along the West Coast.
    Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 28 June 2025
Noun
  • The Senate parliamentarian's guidance has delivered several blows to key GOP provisions, including an effort to exclude undocumented immigrants from receiving Medicaid benefits and a plan to lower provider taxes, which states use to help fund their portion of Medicaid costs.
    June 27, CBS News, 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
  • In the year 2025, when an ex-Packers great in Aaron Rodgers is trying to save Pittsburgh, this kind of a blockbuster swap would only be fitting.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025
  • The script was written by Drew Goddard, who also adapted Weir’s The Martian for Ridley Scott’s blockbuster movie.
    Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 30 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
  • The rest of the speaker is covered in a layer of silicone material that feels soft to the touch and should be sufficiently durable to resist knocks.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
  • The next inning, Colorado finally got its first knock — a Fulford single off Holmes.
    Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 15 June 2025
Noun
  • On my final evening after the game drive, a flute whines and drums thump in the distance.
    Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 23 May 2025
  • 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
Noun
  • Pittsburgh now has arguably the best 1-2 punch at tight end in the NFL in Smith and Penn State alum Pat Friermuth.
    Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
  • Vega opted to press, but landed constant clean punches and was unable to connect meaningful combinations that would turn the tide of the fight.
    Jad El Reda, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025
Noun
  • In the footage, the wooden wall can be seen falling forward with a thud, while two vertical cables hang behind, apparently slack.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 27 June 2025
  • The message landed with a thud among prominent conservatives on social media.
    Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 27 June 2025

Cite this Entry

“Hit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hit. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

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