1
as in knocking
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 bumping
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 achieving
to obtain (as a goal) through effort
the rock band hit "the big time" with their third album
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hitting
Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.
—
Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 7 Sep. 2025
But the Braves came back with three runs in the eighth on an RBI single from Matt Olson, a run-scoring triple from the hot-hitting Ozzie Albies and a single from Drake Baldwin.
—David O'Brien, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
Sabalenka closed it out on her serve when the big-hitting Anisimova also misfired on her forehand.
—Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
The incident, captured on video, shows the sandwich hitting the officer’s chest.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
The 50-year-old Charlie’s Angels actress discussed her love for hitting the open road while visiting The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on Thursday.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Sep. 2025
Laureano has deepened his hitting groove so far with his team.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Aug. 2025
Bennett had just unleashed a laser, hitting receiver Mario Williams in stride for a 38-yard touchdown.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 17 Aug. 2025
By late Saturday morning, NHC officials said the storm’s maximum sustained winds more than doubled in a day, to 160 mph — officially hitting Category 5 intensity.
—Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 16 Aug. 2025
Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 7 Sep. 2025
But the Braves came back with three runs in the eighth on an RBI single from Matt Olson, a run-scoring triple from the hot-hitting Ozzie Albies and a single from Drake Baldwin.
—David O'Brien, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
Sabalenka closed it out on her serve when the big-hitting Anisimova also misfired on her forehand.
—Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
The incident, captured on video, shows the sandwich hitting the officer’s chest.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
The 50-year-old Charlie’s Angels actress discussed her love for hitting the open road while visiting The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on Thursday.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Sep. 2025
Laureano has deepened his hitting groove so far with his team.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Aug. 2025
Bennett had just unleashed a laser, hitting receiver Mario Williams in stride for a 38-yard touchdown.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 17 Aug. 2025
By late Saturday morning, NHC officials said the storm’s maximum sustained winds more than doubled in a day, to 160 mph — officially hitting Category 5 intensity.
—Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 16 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hitting
Verb
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Roughly 89 hours after landing in Buffalo, there Prater was knocking the game-winning, walk-off 32-yard field goal through the uprights to beat the Baltimore Ravens 41-40 in what could be the NFL’s game of the year.—
Joe Buscaglia,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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Fall is officially knocking at our doors, which means last month’s linen sets and sandals just won’t cut it.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The job cuts are permanent, and employees will not have bumping rights to other positions.—
Chase Jordan,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
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Few love it as much when leveling the playing field means bumping them down a few notches.—
John Koetsier,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Hartmann said the partnership with Alight and Neoen is expanding renewable electricity capacity in Sweden and advancing H&M’s goal of achieving net zero through a circular business model.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Sep. 2025
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This is most effectively done by achieving what is known as herd immunity through vaccinations.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In the middle, a president who promised to put both conflicts to bed – and whose talk of a Nobel Peace Prize is smacking up against the reality of the Gaza and Ukraine wars.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
7 Sep. 2025
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Under the hot summer sun, players drip sweat after repeatedly smacking into each other during long, physical practices.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Video evidence showed a trooper punching the man and slamming him to the ground during a 2021 incident.—
Tresa Baldas,
Freep.com,
5 Sep. 2025
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In the disturbing footage, Raja was seen entering the ring and picking up Smith above his head before slamming him hard on the mat.—
Natasha Dye,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But the new private terminal is winning their support, with the backing of historians and preservationists who have been fighting to maintain South Florida’s aviation legacy in a region known for tearing down buildings.—
Vinod Sreeharsha,
Miami Herald,
6 Sep. 2025
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For centuries, public disclosure of those with winning tickets was an essential part of ensuring people could trust lotteries.—
Safiyah Riddle,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Later that night Plumier demonstrates by swiftly slapping the limp green body of a bullfrog hard across his leg.—
Sophie Hartley,
IndyStar,
9 Sep. 2025
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Tchervinski can be seen in one of videos of the incident slapping a Black man.—
Cameron Knight,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Kyle Larson and Ryan Blaney ended up colliding during Sunday's race at Gateway amid the NASCAR Playoffs.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
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Demand growth, baseload retirements, extreme weather, and policy paralysis are colliding to create a fragile system.—
Robert Rapier,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hitting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hitting. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
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