1
as in to knock
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 to bump
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 to achieve
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 success
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 blow
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
as in to find
to come upon after searching, study, or effort
the doctor finally hit on what was wrong with the pain-wracked woman
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to ask
to make a request of
she's always hitting me up for money
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
Georgia eclipsed 90 points nine times in 13 nonconference games and hit the century mark four times.
—Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 30 Jan. 2026
Lanhee J. Chen, Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2026
And scroll all the way for the hit of the month, plus a Q&A with that recipe’s developer.
—Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hit
Verb
Ortlieb crashed on top in the same area as Vonn and Monsen hit the nets just before the finish area and had to be taken away in a sled.
—CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
Georgia eclipsed 90 points nine times in 13 nonconference games and hit the century mark four times.
—Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
But when equity markets aren’t performing well, collections take a major hit.
—Lanhee J. Chen, Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2026
And scroll all the way for the hit of the month, plus a Q&A with that recipe’s developer.
—Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hit
Noun
-
Matt Van Komen, one of the tallest players in all of college basketball at 7-4, added 6 points, 8 rebounds and 5 blocks as the Red Wolves struggled to find success in the lane with his presence defensively.—
Michael Harley,
Arkansas Online,
1 Feb. 2026
-
After more than a decade of success, the 2000s saw a recession that some thought might spell the end of the space sim genre.—
Alan Bradley,
Space.com,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Reigns flipped Gunther onto the edge of the ring and went for the knockout blow, but it was countered.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
1 Feb. 2026
-
After being victimized by a pair of Bulls blow-bys in his initial stint, there was no additional stint, with Jovic instead moved up when Adebayo went out.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Grisham accepted a one-year qualifying offer, while Bellinger signed a blockbuster $162 million deal that includes several opt outs.—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
-
This month’s picks span civil rights stories, classic blockbusters, and new originals worth adding to your queue.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Then that final line, where Benedict asks Sophie to be his mistress, is just a slap to the senses.—
Yvonne Villarreal,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Yes, the Old Fashioned is typically a boozy, whiskey-forward, slap-you-across-the-face thing, and, yes, chamomile is typically a bedtime, steaming mug, snuggle-up-under-a-blanket thing.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Needless to say, James and Jonny get into it as well, engaging in a knock-down, drag -out fight that results not only in numerous bruises and contusions but also a heartfelt emotional epiphany.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Travelers transiting through Dubai or Riyadh are advised to monitor connections closely for knock-on delays.—
Hana Al-Khodairi,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Jin Shin has come across some monster potholes over the last couple of weeks, including one in Koreatown that rattled his car with a sickening thump and another near the airport where its depth was obscured by water.—
Alex Wigglesworth,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Twitchy enough to line up off the edge or run with a tight end in the slot, Fisher (6-1, 231) is a bit small but brings enough thump to be the type of linebacker who never has to leave the field.—
Nick Baumgardner,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
With a light snow falling outside McCamish Pavilion, Henri Veesaar gave North Carolina (17-4, 5-3 ACC) a devastating 1-2 punch on the inside with 20 points and 12 rebounds.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Located just 30 minutes from downtown Vancouver, Cypress Mountain is more of a commuter hill than a destination resort, but its terrain punches well above its weight.—
Brent Rose,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
And then, when Stafford and Rodgers and the Titans said no thanks, Schoen landed with a thud on … Russell Wilson.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The Panthers’ run game ended the 2025 regular season with a thud.—
Mike Kaye
Updated January 7,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hit. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
