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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 stars have each released hundreds of songs, and now one collaboration between them that was released more than a decade ago has become a surprise hit in America, giving all three musicians another win on one Billboard chart. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025 This is not the first Chinese investment in Afghanistan to hit snags. Anthony Kuhn, NPR, 29 Aug. 2025
Noun
Airbus was first to introduce new engines to its A320, turning the neo variant into a huge hit with airlines seeking to cut their fuel bill. Jason Ma, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2025 The movie Gran Turismo was a hit at the box office in 2023 and the brand is well-known for creating the gamer-to-racer GT Academy platform way back in 2008 that saw some 9 gamers become real-world racing drivers. Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hit
Noun
  • The most likely pathway for success will be in European courts, specifically the European Court of Human Rights.
    Jon McGowan, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
  • But until the most recent flight test, Starship had struggled in 2025 to repeat the successes of previous missions in 2024.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The decline threatens to push record beef prices even higher, with tariffs limiting importers’ ability to soften the blow.
    Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 13 Aug. 2025
  • The Postal Savings Bank, established in 1911, softened the blow of the Great Depression for millions, before being killed by the big banks in 1967.
    Mark Dimondstein, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Watch it here: Stream your favorite shows, the biggest blockbusters and more.
    Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 30 Aug. 2025
  • The Green Bay Packers pulled off one of the biggest blockbuster trades in recent NFL history on Thursday afternoon, acquiring superstar pass rusher Micah Parsons from the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • But the man who delivered the slap has not been charged with any crime and is named in court documents as a victim.
    Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati Enquirer, 17 Aug. 2025
  • Some of those bombardments have come immediately after Putin talked with Trump on the phone in what can only be categorized as a deliberate slap in the face.
    Daniel DePetris, Chicago Tribune, 15 July 2025
Noun
  • Alvarez had three knocks, including an RBI double to open the scoring.
    Tim Britton, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
  • When Terrence Dwyer received a knock on his door and a flyer for a solar panel system small enough to fit on his deck, he was quickly sold.
    Nino Paoli, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Collins brings some thump to the four spot at no cost after next season.
    David Aldridge, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
  • Also, there's a heavy-duty undercarriage with twin wheels, showing that it is designed for carrier operations where the fighter tends to land on the deck with a pretty hard thump.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The former Colorado Buffaloes safety was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, less than 24 hours after he was ejected in the team's preseason finale for throwing a punch at Buffalo Bills tight end Zach Davidson.
    Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
  • Watching a top performer walk out after months of training can feel like a gut punch.
    Aaron Marcum, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Gemma hears a soft thud and imagines Joslin resting his head on the desk.
    Lizz Schumer, People.com, 9 Aug. 2025
  • Thelma stopped reading at the sound of a commotion: loud thuds and shoes slapping on the floor.
    Joshua Sharpe August 6, Literary Hub, 6 Aug. 2025

Cite this Entry

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

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