1
as in bending
to cause to turn away from a straight line
the pitcher hooked the ball, and the batter missed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in connecting
to put or bring together so as to form a new and longer whole
hooked up three short chains together to make a longer necklace
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in stealing
to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep
the monkey hooked four bananas from the basket and scampered away to enjoy them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in grabbing
to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly
I hooked the biggest fish of the day, and then released it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in curving
to turn away from a straight line or course
hang the bird feeder on a branch that hooks upward
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hooking
The Spuds were handed a lifeline early in the second period as Sturgis went into the box for hooking.
—
Andrew Cornelius, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026
After being booked in the 58th minute for a body check near the halfway line on Ismaila Sarr, Krejci then played on in the 61st after a throw-in had been awarded against him, hooking the ball down the line.
—Steve Madeley, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Both teams are down a player early due to penalties early in the second period with Auston Matthews drawing a two-minute penalty for hooking.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 20 Feb. 2026
And, to no one's disappointment, seasons 2 and 3 followed suit, hooking fans even more.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 31 Jan. 2026
Also mentioned is an auto-hitch system to simplify hooking it up to the tow vehicle.
—New Atlas, 5 Jan. 2026
The Golden Knights got their first power play 5 seconds after their penalty expired as New Jersey's Nico Hischier was whistled for hooking.
—CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025
In fact, biologists on that same stretch of river found over a recent three-year study that roughly a quarter of the trout caught and released would die from hooking injuries.
—Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 30 Oct. 2025
The rescuer takes two trips, hooking each passenger up to a line, then hoisting them from the beach, the video shows.
—Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Andrew Cornelius, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026
After being booked in the 58th minute for a body check near the halfway line on Ismaila Sarr, Krejci then played on in the 61st after a throw-in had been awarded against him, hooking the ball down the line.
—Steve Madeley, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Both teams are down a player early due to penalties early in the second period with Auston Matthews drawing a two-minute penalty for hooking.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 20 Feb. 2026
And, to no one's disappointment, seasons 2 and 3 followed suit, hooking fans even more.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 31 Jan. 2026
Also mentioned is an auto-hitch system to simplify hooking it up to the tow vehicle.
—New Atlas, 5 Jan. 2026
The Golden Knights got their first power play 5 seconds after their penalty expired as New Jersey's Nico Hischier was whistled for hooking.
—CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025
In fact, biologists on that same stretch of river found over a recent three-year study that roughly a quarter of the trout caught and released would die from hooking injuries.
—Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 30 Oct. 2025
The rescuer takes two trips, hooking each passenger up to a line, then hoisting them from the beach, the video shows.
—Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hooking
Verb
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The team confirmed the behavior by testing how the simulated material responded to pressure, bending, and melting.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Mar. 2026
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Although such a proposal would impact landlords and renters across the city, it was originally brought up after residents of the Serra Grove apartment complex complained their new landlord was bending substantial renovation rules to evict longtime tenants and relist units at double the price.—
Hannah Elsmore,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Accessibility Despite the villa’s vertiginous surroundings, the elevators connecting the reception and the main villa ensure wheelchair access to the rooms.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Mar. 2026
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And the manufacturer’s speed limiter had been disabled by cutting the wire and connecting it to a key switch, allowing the rider to push the bike to 60 mph.—
Cierra Morgan
March 4,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The bishop of a Chaldean Catholic church based in El Cajon is accused of stealing more than $250,000 from the church and backfilling the hole in the books with money intended to be used for poor people, a prosecutor told an East County judge Monday.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
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The reverend in charge of the largest cathedral in the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh is accused of stealing more than $1,000 worth of baseball trading cards.—
Andy Sheehan,
CBS News,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Wembanyama had back-to-back dunks in the second quarter, including grabbing his own miss and throwing it down for what became a three-point play on a foul by Javonte Green.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
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Brigham is also charged with assaulting a man by grabbing and twisting his genitals.—
Julia Coin,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The chill all-day Mediterranean spot is Manja, noted by its huge, curving aqua pizza oven and porch swings.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Mar. 2026
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Last June, Naomi Welikala noticed a line curving around the block of her local American Legion, an unassuming building that rarely invited commotion.—
Emma Madden,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Warning signs a skunk is ready to spray include jumping, stamping their front feet, arching their back, clicking teeth, and hissing.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
10 Mar. 2026
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Its arching branches of flat, fleshy leaves are now drooping, leaving the plant looking less like a festive centerpiece and more like a soggy green mop.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The researchers have been talking with officials about the prospect of integrating some version of ePOCT+, says Kulinkina.—
Jonathan Lambert,
NPR,
5 Mar. 2026
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By integrating these two types of facilities, the total electricity consumption for both the data center and the industrial plant can be reduced by more than 75%.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But apps, as many have discovered, can be quite frustrating in practice, with all the tapping and swiping through multiple screens.—
Diana Budds,
Architectural Digest,
3 Mar. 2026
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Blame an increase in digital technology, algorithms encouraging people to keep swiping onto the next thing, and increasingly blurry boundaries between work and personal time.—
Natalia V. Osipova,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hooking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hooking. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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