Synonyms of hock

hock 1 of 2

noun

as in jail

a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody

some lowlife who had been in and out of hock most of his adult life

Synonyms & Similar Words

• jail
• penitentiary
• prison
• pen
• joint
• jug
• brig
• coop
• pokey
• slammer
• cooler
• big house
• bridewell
• calaboose
• lockup
• clink
• jailhouse
• hoosegow
• cage
• stockade
• can
• slam
• guardroom
• bastille
• nick
• stir
• tank
• tolbooth
• quod
• hold
• dungeon
• cell
• bull pen
• hole
• ward
• keep
• labor camp
• prison camp
• concentration camp
• block
• work camp
• gulag
• stalag
• guardhouse
• glasshouse
• reform school
• reformatory
• training school
• oubliette
• hulk(s)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• outside

hock

2 of 2

verb

as in to pawn

to leave as a guarantee of repayment of a loan

the prince had to hock the family jewels to pay his gambling debts

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pawn
• deposit
• mortgage
• pledge
• bond

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• buy (back)
• win (back)
• redeem

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of hock

Noun

This was a plot twist with political and cultural significance because Italian American politicians were often accused—at varying decibels—of being in hock to the Mafia. — John Avlon, The Atlantic, 25 May 2026

Ambitious cooks can smoke their own hocks for double the meat. — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 23 May 2026

Verb

Conversely, Soto was like the guy who hocks his wedding ring before the separation agreement is signed. — Greg Marotta, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2025

Bandcamp’s cut is 15% on digital sales and 10% when hocking physical stuff (t-shirts, vinyl, CDs, cassettes, etc). — Spin Staff, SPIN, 9 Jan. 2025