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
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 hitting
Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.
—
Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 9 Nov. 2025
After an incompletion on third down, McCashland’s 25-yard field goal attempt was no good, hitting the right upright with 17 seconds remaining in the half.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Nov. 2025
The New York Mets have some key players hitting the open market, most notably, Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz, who both opted out of their current contracts.
—Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2025
At least four are dead and 11 others were injured when a driver lost control of a vehicle while moving at a high speed, crashing into a business and hitting more than a dozen people in Tampa, Florida, police said.
—Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 8 Nov. 2025
The extra layer of scrutiny is hitting more than product.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 8 Nov. 2025
Ju Ju was at his strongest rolling and throwing to his left, hitting Miller for a 43-yard rainbow early, then Sincere Brown (19 yards) and Joseph Williams (13 yards) on CU’s second drive of the second quarter.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 8 Nov. 2025
Gausman had retired 17 straight Dodger batters until the seventh inning, when Smith yet again got the best of him, hitting a solo home run to break the stale mate.
—Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2025
The singing voices behind KPop Demon Hunters' beloved girl group HUNTR/X will be hitting the stage to perform live in concert for the first time.
—Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 9 Nov. 2025
After an incompletion on third down, McCashland’s 25-yard field goal attempt was no good, hitting the right upright with 17 seconds remaining in the half.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Nov. 2025
The New York Mets have some key players hitting the open market, most notably, Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz, who both opted out of their current contracts.
—Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2025
At least four are dead and 11 others were injured when a driver lost control of a vehicle while moving at a high speed, crashing into a business and hitting more than a dozen people in Tampa, Florida, police said.
—Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 8 Nov. 2025
The extra layer of scrutiny is hitting more than product.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 8 Nov. 2025
Ju Ju was at his strongest rolling and throwing to his left, hitting Miller for a 43-yard rainbow early, then Sincere Brown (19 yards) and Joseph Williams (13 yards) on CU’s second drive of the second quarter.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 8 Nov. 2025
Gausman had retired 17 straight Dodger batters until the seventh inning, when Smith yet again got the best of him, hitting a solo home run to break the stale mate.
—Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2025
The singing voices behind KPop Demon Hunters' beloved girl group HUNTR/X will be hitting the stage to perform live in concert for the first time.
—Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hitting
Verb
-
The right words can open doors the heart’s been knocking on for a while.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Once the buzz starts, fringe brands come knocking.—
Chris Cardillo,
Rolling Stone,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Kylie's debut dethroned Joe Rogan, bumping The Joe Rogan Experience down to the second spot.—
Zoey Lyttle,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Our team noted whether the vacuums were able to navigate around the house without bumping into furniture or getting caught on area rugs.—
Terri Williams,
Architectural Digest,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
As this brief survey suggests, the patriots’ success in drawing foreign partners into the war was essential to achieving American independence.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Having led a multimillion-dollar organization and mentored thousands of women nationwide, Martine now specializes in guiding high-achieving women to stop over-functioning, reclaim their energy, and lead with clarity and confidence.—
Maria Williams,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
An arrest warrant has been issued for a high school football player accused of intentionally smacking one of his opponents on the head at their game, according to investigators in North Florida.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
5 Nov. 2025
-
In the season four premiere of Mayor of Kingstown, co-creators/writers Hugh Dillon and Taylor Sheridan waste no time smacking viewers with a sense of doom and gloom.—
Demetrius Patterson,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Instead of slamming it home, Antetokounmpo soared over the defenders to make an improbable catch, landed and flicked an on-target pass to Rollins for a corner 3 before falling out of bounds to give Milwaukee a 14-point lead.—
Eric Nehm,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
-
His brief mention of the shutdown focused on slamming Democrats.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The title-winning standard has been lower in recent years; City won it with 86, 93, 89 and 91 points between 2020-21 and 2023-24 and Liverpool with 84 points last season, but some of those totals give a false impression.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Get tech-smarter on your schedule Award-winning host Kim Komando is your secret weapon for navigating tech.—
The Kim Komando Show,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The van reaches home ground and no one talks and the only sound along that final stretch is El Camello slapping himself to scare away mosquitoes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
First, rather than slapping a latex mask and makeup on Schuster-Koloamatangi, performance capture technology is used to have Dek’s face come alive with the actor’s expressions.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Once stationary, turn off all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights are not illuminated, reducing the risk of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Once stationary, deactivate all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights remain unlit, minimizing the chance of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hitting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hitting. Accessed 19 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share