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
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Recent Examples of hits
Claire Gallam, Travel + Leisure, 11 Feb. 2026
Witherspoon was one of the Seahawks’ stars of the game with a sack and two QB hits, one of which led to an interception from Patriots QB Drake Maye.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 11 Feb. 2026
Catherine O’Hara’s beloved work includes films like Home Alone and Beetlejuice and recent TV hits Schitt’s Creek and The Studio.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
If any injury hits the team's infield, Miller will most likely be the first call-up.
—Tom Dougherty, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
When Skattebo comes back healthy and hits the field again, the content is only going to get better from here.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 11 Feb. 2026
Instead, the trio is grappling with an unfathomable crime story that hits close to home.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 10 Feb. 2026
This issue hits close to home in Arizona.
—Matt Emma, AZCentral.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Eddie Bauer Cirruslite Down Jacket For colder days, this puffer jacket has a cropped length that hits right at the hips and can be worn on morning walks or commutes to the office.
—Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 10 Feb. 2026
Plenty of moments on The Fall-Off remind of the hunger of his early mixtapes, the purposeful thrills of his 2010s hits, or even the misguided zaniness of KOD, though none materialize in meaningful doses.
—Benny Sun, Pitchfork, 10 Feb. 2026
On Billy Bob and controversy Landman has become a global sensation, one of the biggest hits in Taylor Sheridan’s impressive stable, and it’s given Larter the highest profile of a career that began after a talent scout spotted her at 13, eating snapper soup in a Philadelphia restaurant.
—Sarah Hepola, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
Pavelich died by suicide on March 4, 2021, his death one of several linked to hits to the head from playing hockey.
—Stephen Whyno, Twin Cities, 10 Feb. 2026
At halftime, Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny delivered an energetic performance featuring his biggest hits, powerful imagery and theatrical nods to songs and symbols from throughout his Spanish-language catalog.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
Murphy is becoming an Amazon mainstay, having starred in a couple of the streamer’s hits in recent years.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 9 Feb. 2026
Inside the company's London headquarters, Glenday keeps a cabinet of greatest hits.
—Cecilia Vega, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
After decades of being ignored by the Hall of Fame — despite their massive influence, a string of era-defining hits, and even a pop-culture meme thanks to Patrick Stewart’s dramatic Saturday Night Live introduction of the group — Salt-N-Pepa were finally entering the hallowed institution.
—Andy Greene, VIBE.com, 9 Feb. 2026
Verb
Quince's version is made with 24 percent spandex for extra stretch and features a high-cut leg that hits just right to cinch your waist.
—Claire Gallam, Travel + Leisure, 11 Feb. 2026
Witherspoon was one of the Seahawks’ stars of the game with a sack and two QB hits, one of which led to an interception from Patriots QB Drake Maye.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 11 Feb. 2026
Catherine O’Hara’s beloved work includes films like Home Alone and Beetlejuice and recent TV hits Schitt’s Creek and The Studio.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
If any injury hits the team's infield, Miller will most likely be the first call-up.
—Tom Dougherty, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
When Skattebo comes back healthy and hits the field again, the content is only going to get better from here.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 11 Feb. 2026
Instead, the trio is grappling with an unfathomable crime story that hits close to home.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 10 Feb. 2026
This issue hits close to home in Arizona.
—Matt Emma, AZCentral.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Eddie Bauer Cirruslite Down Jacket For colder days, this puffer jacket has a cropped length that hits right at the hips and can be worn on morning walks or commutes to the office.
—Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
Noun
Hot 97 has played an outsize role for decades in debuting new hits, anointing superstars, and wading into major cultural debates; Mero’s most recent predecessor in the morning-show role is Ebro Darden, who announced the end of his 20-plus-year tenure at the station in December.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 10 Feb. 2026
Plenty of moments on The Fall-Off remind of the hunger of his early mixtapes, the purposeful thrills of his 2010s hits, or even the misguided zaniness of KOD, though none materialize in meaningful doses.
—Benny Sun, Pitchfork, 10 Feb. 2026
On Billy Bob and controversy Landman has become a global sensation, one of the biggest hits in Taylor Sheridan’s impressive stable, and it’s given Larter the highest profile of a career that began after a talent scout spotted her at 13, eating snapper soup in a Philadelphia restaurant.
—Sarah Hepola, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
Pavelich died by suicide on March 4, 2021, his death one of several linked to hits to the head from playing hockey.
—Stephen Whyno, Twin Cities, 10 Feb. 2026
At halftime, Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny delivered an energetic performance featuring his biggest hits, powerful imagery and theatrical nods to songs and symbols from throughout his Spanish-language catalog.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
Murphy is becoming an Amazon mainstay, having starred in a couple of the streamer’s hits in recent years.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 9 Feb. 2026
Inside the company's London headquarters, Glenday keeps a cabinet of greatest hits.
—Cecilia Vega, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
After decades of being ignored by the Hall of Fame — despite their massive influence, a string of era-defining hits, and even a pop-culture meme thanks to Patrick Stewart’s dramatic Saturday Night Live introduction of the group — Salt-N-Pepa were finally entering the hallowed institution.
—Andy Greene, VIBE.com, 9 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hits
Verb
-
Opportunity knocks on software stocks, including Microsoft (MSFT), Salesforce (CRM), and ServiceNow (NOW), which all got slammed in Thursday's trading amid pressure on the software sector ETF (IGV) from artificial intelligence (AI) disruption concerns.—
Jeff Kilburg,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Julio Cesar Chavez suffers his first loss in 91 fights when Frankie Randall knocks him down in the 11th round and wins the WBC super lightweight championship on a split decision.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 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
-
Mizzou has some big Quad 1 SEC wins, too, including its most recent over A&M.—
Ally Schniepp,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The game has a progressive jackpot that grows until someone wins and in her case, the prize was $768,201, officials said.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
So whatever successes – or failures – South Korea experiences will inform how other countries battle their own crises.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
-
None were quick successes, but all achieved remarkable outcomes.—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Cheap drinks soften emotional blows.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
-
But researchers worry that repeated, less dramatic blows, such as heading the ball, can also have long-term effects; there is evidence that players who regularly head the ball are at greater risk of dementia than those, such as goalkeepers, who do not.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Boston Blue slaps a fresh coat of paint on Blue Bloods, the CBS procedural that ended its 14-season run last year.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
20 Dec. 2025
-
Speaking with Cocoa Butter about her most memorable roles, Calloway revealed that the moment Ike slaps Jackie came across so emotional and raw because the stunt went wrong.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
5 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
In the United States, model-publication licensing also likely collides with speech law.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
2 Feb. 2026
-
Bombogenesis can happen when a cold air mass collides with a warm air mass, such as air over warm ocean waters.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
By utilizing Earth’s natural geology, the design achieves several breakthroughs.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Matte black with glossy tips—in a trending square shape, no less—achieves just the right balance of edgy and elevated.—
Samantha Brash,
InStyle,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hits. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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