hocks 1 of 2

noun

plural of hock
as in penitentiaries
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hocks

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of hock
as in pawns
to leave as a guarantee of repayment of a loan the prince had to hock the family jewels to pay his gambling debts

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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 hocks
Noun
Southern field peas and smoky ham hocks go together like Johnny and June. — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 23 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hocks
  1. penitentiaries
  2. deposits
  3. jails
  4. mortgages
  5. prisons
  6. pens
  7. joints
Noun
  • Hodge says he was abused in multiple federal penitentiaries, but was frequently blocked from filing complaints about it.
    — Christie Thompson, NPR, 13 July 2026
  • This includes providing the Colombian military more leeway in the field, signing a new security agreement with Washington and building 10 mega-prisons that mimic Bukele’s network of penitentiaries in El Salvador.
    — Daniel DePetris, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026
Definition of penitentiaries
Verb
  • The lightweight cream deposits a subtle wash of color, and blends tracelessly to create a fresh-faced, no-makeup-makeup finish.
    — Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 30 June 2026
  • This is one in which the user deposits cash that serves as its’ purchase limit.
    — Jim Gorzelany, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
Definition of deposits
Noun
  • Some in county jails are there for just a few days, but others can stay behind bars for months or even years before their cases are tried in court.
    — Amber Gaudet July 18, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
  • This came after the Obama administration broadened a program that linked people booked in local jails with federal immigration officials.
    — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 17 July 2026
Definition of jails
Verb
  • So my guess/belief/thought is that the executive trio is hoping for the best this year, but is unwilling to do anything that mortgages future seasons.
    — Josh Kendall, New York Times, 9 July 2026
  • Those are the players in recent memory who’ve commanded the kind of draft capital that reshapes franchises — the sort of seismic move that mortgages a future and, in return, attaches expectations normally reserved for franchise-carrying superstars.
    — Kristian Winfield, Hartford Courant, 22 Feb. 2026
Definition of mortgages
Noun
  • Birch said he was moved around between prisons as the years passed.
    — Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026
  • That would do more than all the police and prisons put together to reduce the future crime rate.
    — Ronald J. Allen, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2026
Definition of prisons
Noun
  • If you’re used to pencils or pens, the flexibility can initially feel unfamiliar.
    — Marci Robin, Allure, 24 July 2026
  • Davidson is accused of attempting to steal 10 THC vape pens from Liles and threatening the use of a firearm, according to court records.
    — Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 23 July 2026
Definition of pens
Noun
  • Grab your soft brush and gently sweep any dust out of hard-to-reach crevices (think carved detailing, small corners, or shelving joints).
    — Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 23 July 2026
  • Rather than focusing only on muscles, joints, or appearance, researchers are increasingly examining the interconnected systems that influence movement, recovery, inflammation, and long-term mobility.
    — Meggen Harris, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of joints

Browse Nearby Words

hocking
hocks
hocus-pocus
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Cite this Entry

“Hocks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hocks. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of hocks for Spanish Speakers

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