HITTING Synonyms: 180 Similar and Opposite Words

hitting

verb

present participle of hit

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

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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

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 Social media videos of him hitting tennis balls and baseballs while listing his policy proposals have provided a font of online mockery. — Philip Elliott, Time, 19 Oct. 2026 Lips and eyes were also adorned at the L’Oreal Paris booth, where guests received touch-ups before hitting the adjacent Allure Red Carpet. — Eden Stuart, Allure, 19 Oct. 2026 The spread on Oracle's five-year CDS is currently 295 basis points, after briefly hitting 300 bps on Thursday, up 287% in one year. — Michelle Fox, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026 Meta’s vision for 2029 Despite carrying nearly 99 percent of international data traffic, subsea internet infrastructure is hitting strict physical limits. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2026 While hitting that cadence awaits LC-36A’s reconstruction, the company recently filed a request to expand that to 50 launches per year. — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026 Georgia looked dominant in the opening minutes, even after Stockton had to leave after hitting the field helmet-first on the first play of the game. — Charles Odum, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026 An array of potential Democratic and Republican presidential contenders are hitting the campaign trail in the final weeks before Election Day to stump for their parties’ House, Senate and governor nominees. — Praveena Somasundaram, Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2026 Season 1 was a hit for Netflix, hitting Top 10 lists in 63 countries last year, and topping the list in 18 countries worldwide. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 18 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hitting

Verb

The other student strikes one more blow from behind, knocking Xavier to the ground.

— Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
The murder prompted an extensive investigation, with police interviewing more than 1,300 people and knocking on hundreds of doors.

— Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of knocking

Verb

The Goyard Saint Louis entered the top 10 ranking at number seven, bumping the Celine Ava off the list entirely, according to the report.

— Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
There can be two women who are strong and dynamic, who are, at points, up against each other or bumping heads, but have the same mission and goal.

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of bumping

Verb

The problem, Snegovaya said, is that achieving military autonomy for Europe and Ukraine is extremely difficult in the short term, and Europe has been slow to develop the necessary capabilities.

— Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2026
And, even before the pandemic, about half of the state’s students were not achieving the state’s learning goals.

— Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of achieving

Verb

But Varma and Shivam Dube (27) upped the ante in the final three overs by smacking 57 runs against Sufyan Moqim, Ayub and Ahmed Daniyal.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
Carrington was ejected from the game in the first half after smacking Cunningham across the face during Cunningham's layup attempt.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of smacking

Verb

Modeling work suggests the duo will keep orbiting our star for millions of years before ultimately slamming into either Earth or Venus.

— Mike Wall, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026
The impact caused the Camry to spin around, slamming into the back of a southbound 2021 Toyota RAV4.

— Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of slamming

Verb

However, if Democrats focus on AI safety after winning control of one or both chambers of Congress next month, the group’s work on AI issues leaves it well-positioned.

— Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Swim goggles worn by pro athletes in winning locker rooms carry logos for celebratory libations like Moët & Chandon or Michelob Ultra.

— Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of winning

Verb

Less than three months after that deal was announced in January 2022, Smith became an industry pariah after slapping Chris Rock onstage at the Oscars, earning a 10-year ban from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

— Dade Hayes, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
Hochman said the nannies were caught on video spanking, slapping or hitting the children.

— News Editor, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of slapping

Verb

Byrne cited incidents involving horses collapsing in city streets and colliding with vehicles, and said more than 70% of New Yorkers support a ban, a figure Fox News Digital has not independently verified.

— Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Record spending The lack of a quorum is colliding with the most expensive election on record.

— Gabe Kaminsky, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026