1
as in knocks
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
a good carpenter hits a nail just two or three times to drive it in
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in bumps
to come into usually forceful contact with something
when she fell on the ice, she hit hard and badly bruised her elbow
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in wins
to obtain (as a goal) through effort
the rock band hit "the big time" with their third album
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in successes
a person or thing that is successful
the new babysitter turned out to be a hit with the kids
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in blows
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
the quarterback can't take too many more hits like that and escape permanent injury
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 hits
Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 25 Mar. 2026
For something a little less massive, this 12% price drop on the Legion 5i from Lenovo hits the spot.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
From award-winning bluegrass albums to chart-topping country hits, his music left a lasting imprint on American music.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2026
The pic, based on a story by Spielberg, hits theaters June 12.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 25 Mar. 2026
Once Upon a Trainwreck hits bookshelves October 6.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2026
But the totality of the cap hits between this year and next year would’ve been the same.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 25 Mar. 2026
Why the quest will fall short And finally Shohei Ohtani hits three homers and strikes out 10 in Game 4 of the 2025 NLCS.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
The movie hits theaters on July 31 and also stars Zendaya, Sadie Sink, Jacob Batalon, Jon Bernthal, Tramell Tillman, Michael Mando and Mark Ruffalo.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026
Mike Waters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2026
With that notable diversity, Spanish fiction is no longer framed internationally through one prevailing model, whether glossy thrillers, YA drama or the long tail of earlier crossover hits.
—Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026
Thomas, a two-time MVP, played for the White Sox from 1990 to 2005, and is the team's career leader in home runs, doubles, RBI, and runs scored, and ranks in the team's top six in both hits and batting average.
—Todd Feurer, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
Nathan Swinson had a home run and Julian Antolin recorded three hits and three RBIs.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
When an unexpected expense hits, like a car repair, a medical bill or a burst pipe, waiting weeks for cash isn't an option.
—Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 24 Mar. 2026
After opening over the holidays, The Housemaid turned into one of the biggest hits of 2025 grossing nearly $400 million at the global box office.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 23 Mar. 2026
The left-hander allowed seven runs on seven hits with four strikeouts and four walks in 3 2/3 innings against the A’s.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Wilyer Abreu also hit a home run and Venezuela’s pitching held the United States to just three hits.
—Matias Ocner, Miami Herald, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
The closure of Forever Young hits as vanishing federal aid and runaway Medicaid costs threaten an ambitious new initiative to expand affordable child care.
—Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 25 Mar. 2026
For something a little less massive, this 12% price drop on the Legion 5i from Lenovo hits the spot.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
From award-winning bluegrass albums to chart-topping country hits, his music left a lasting imprint on American music.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2026
The pic, based on a story by Spielberg, hits theaters June 12.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 25 Mar. 2026
Once Upon a Trainwreck hits bookshelves October 6.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2026
But the totality of the cap hits between this year and next year would’ve been the same.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 25 Mar. 2026
Why the quest will fall short And finally Shohei Ohtani hits three homers and strikes out 10 in Game 4 of the 2025 NLCS.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
The movie hits theaters on July 31 and also stars Zendaya, Sadie Sink, Jacob Batalon, Jon Bernthal, Tramell Tillman, Michael Mando and Mark Ruffalo.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026
Noun
Against Country Day, pitching a complete game while throwing 117 pitches, Langford scattered five hits, walked three and fanned 11 in the victory.
—Mike Waters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2026
With that notable diversity, Spanish fiction is no longer framed internationally through one prevailing model, whether glossy thrillers, YA drama or the long tail of earlier crossover hits.
—Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026
Thomas, a two-time MVP, played for the White Sox from 1990 to 2005, and is the team's career leader in home runs, doubles, RBI, and runs scored, and ranks in the team's top six in both hits and batting average.
—Todd Feurer, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
Nathan Swinson had a home run and Julian Antolin recorded three hits and three RBIs.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
When an unexpected expense hits, like a car repair, a medical bill or a burst pipe, waiting weeks for cash isn't an option.
—Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 24 Mar. 2026
After opening over the holidays, The Housemaid turned into one of the biggest hits of 2025 grossing nearly $400 million at the global box office.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 23 Mar. 2026
The left-hander allowed seven runs on seven hits with four strikeouts and four walks in 3 2/3 innings against the A’s.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Wilyer Abreu also hit a home run and Venezuela’s pitching held the United States to just three hits.
—Matias Ocner, Miami Herald, 18 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hits
Verb
-
Dean Puckett, United Kingdom, 2025 A single mother and her child are put through a nightmarish ordeal when a politician knocks on their door.—
William Earl,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2026
-
In the letter, obtained by The Dallas Morning News, Hancock knocks Paxton for how his agency allowed a Houston Muslim school into the Texas Education Freedom Accounts Program.—
Aarón Torres,
Dallas Morning News,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The 2027 Ram 1500 SRT TRX will start at $99,995, excluding a mandatory $2,595 destination fee that bumps the price to $102,590.—
Michael Wayland,
CNBC,
1 Jan. 2026
-
A day when the Stanley Cup years finally ride the synaptic road back to long-term memory and the brain finally bumps the past for the present.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This Marlins will have to ride pitching, defense and one-run wins again.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Dev Ayesa — still on Mars, still planning big, still stubborn as hell, and newly swole, per the opening montage — wins the prize for best graduation gift in a walk by giving Alex a superfast Mars motocross-style bike.—
Sophie Brookover,
Vulture,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Your questions and comments as well as gardening conundrums and successes are always welcome.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Despite domestic policy successes, the war and his political standing led to him opting not to run for reelection.—
Domenico Montanaro,
NPR,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Leftist candidate wins Paris mayoral race The French left won the Paris mayor’s race, one of a number of blows to far-right and center-right challengers in nationwide municipal polls.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
24 Mar. 2026
-
What mattered more than his terseness was that Norris was allowed to land a few meaningful blows against the usually untouchable Lee, who stars as Tang Lung, a fighter summoned to defend a restaurant owner menaced by a crime boss.—
Chris Klimek,
The Atlantic,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Sporting a bright yellow raincoat and rainboots, Garcia pretends to be a journalist reporting on the storm in West Kendall as a palm tree leaf slaps her across the face.—
Xitlalic Montelongo,
Miami Herald,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Think Nvidia’s new feature that slaps an AI filter onto your favorite games looks like garbage?—
Frank Landymore,
Futurism,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
That flashback thread unfolds against the twilight of British colonial rule, as the impending disbanding of the Royal Hong Kong Police Force’s Special Branch collides with the kidnapping of a prominent business tycoon, triggering a dangerous internal power struggle.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
20 Mar. 2026
-
The story of Megyn Kelly’s transformation is, in many ways, the story of what happens when a traditional television career collides with the influencer economy — and loses, then adapts.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The midsize luxury car achieves 22 miles per gallon in the city and 31 miles per gallon on the highway.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
26 Mar. 2026
-
This alloy achieves cooling via adiabatic demagnetization refrigeration (ADR).—
Etiido Uko
March 23,
New Atlas,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hits. Accessed 28 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
