HOOKS Synonyms: 293 Similar and Opposite Words

hooks 1 of 2

noun

plural of hook

as in punches

a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument delivered a hard right hook that struck his opponent in the eye

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hooks

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of hook

as in bends

to cause to turn away from a straight line the pitcher hooked the ball, and the batter missed

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as in connects

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

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as in steals

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

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as in grabs

to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly I hooked the biggest fish of the day, and then released it

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as in curves

to turn away from a straight line or course hang the bird feeder on a branch that hooks upward

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

straightens

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 hooks

Noun

It has also been thoughtfully designed, with removable cargo hooks that more cars should provide. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 21 July 2026 Luna Duran, whose brown hair hangs almost to her knees, waited there, with hooks installed in the flesh on her thin shoulder blades. — Lauren Oyler, New Yorker, 20 July 2026 There’s even a coordinating towel bar and wall hooks for those in search of a matchy-matchy look. — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 20 July 2026 From the band’s home studio in Texas, Muñoz spoke with Variety about his obsession with iconic rock hooks, the secret to crafting adventurous accordion lines and the music legend who appears on Intocable’s latest album. — Ernesto Lechner, Variety, 16 July 2026 Try hooks, dividers, or double-hang rods to increase closet organization. — Emily Benda Gaylord, The Spruce, 16 July 2026 Wor$t Girl embraces dirt and dark thoughts alongside abrasive tones, giving its euphoric hooks weight, as though a wild night out is almost crucial to the artist’s well-being. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 8 July 2026 Home plate umpire and crew chief Doug Eddings issued the hooks after José Caballero was caught stealing second on a bang-bang, strike-em-out, throw-em-out double play. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 8 July 2026 Designed with hooks for necklaces, compartments for rings, and slots for earrings, these organizers keep each piece secure and separated throughout your trip. — Gabrielle Porcaro, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026

Verb

The news hooks her further into wanting something out of a vulnerable situation. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 23 July 2026 Ceiling hooks for fishing rods, cargo door for two bikes, spray hose for cleaning gear and heated locker for drying it. — Kris Millgate, USA Today, 1 July 2026 How Many Calories Rucking Burns The calorie math is what hooks many newcomers, particularly men in their 40s trying to recapture lost ground. — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2026 Armour hooks my arm, and the panic abates. — Adam Erace, Fortune, 24 May 2026 Marketing experts say while more and more cash is flowing into the clip-ification of all things, those watching the content can view clips as cheap and disposable moments, not something that hooks someone on a show or internet personality. — Bobby Allyn, NPR, 12 May 2026 Mark Lanier, a lawyer for the plaintiff, questioned Mosseri on Wednesday about whether Instagram chooses profits over the health and safety of minors and whether Mosseri oversees an app that hooks younger users. — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026 The cat who reaches through the kennel bars and hooks a paw around your finger. — Cathy M. Rosenthal, San Antonio Express-News, 10 Feb. 2026 Aussie newcomer Yerin Ha is the juggernaut's new leading lady—a strong yet soft pragmatist whose quiet charisma hooks Benedict, the ton, and, soon enough, audiences everywhere. — Madeline Hirsch, InStyle, 19 Jan. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hooks

Noun

There were no punches thrown, just heated discussion about the result.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2026
The aim in the cage is to knock the other guy’s block off, and then to pile on to the point of submission with a flurry of punches.

— Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2026

Definition of punches

Verb

When that many people are effectively self-funding their care, the market bends toward whatever makes cost predictable and navigation simple.

— Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
The story of McCarthy’s life was written on this winding street that snakes through a small, working-class corner of Pittsburgh where the Monongahela River bends.

— Mike DeFabo, New York Times, 27 July 2026

Definition of bends

Verb

This discovery connects with work happening at Ames National Laboratory to better understand how materials handle nuclear operations.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 26 July 2026
An airline can rank well overall, but if your itinerary connects through a busy, disruption-prone hub, a nonstop on another carrier may get you there with less trouble.

— Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026

Definition of connects

Verb

Milton-Jones ranks third in franchise history in blocks (245) and fourth in points (4,018), field goals (1,509), rebounds (1,882), steals (440) and minutes (10,384).

— Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
And China is a rule-breaker and steals intellectual property.

— David Frum, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026

Definition of steals

Verb

Tumon Bay, the island’s main resort district, curves in a sweep of gorgeous waters backed by limestone cliffs and a skyline of hotels that reflect Guam’s long‑standing popularity with Japanese and Korean travelers.

— David Dickstein, Oc Register, 17 June 2026
Phoebe Philo’s version, a backless white tank with a dramatic ruffle that curves across the waist and up the shoulder blades transforms the silhouette into an avant-garde sculpture.

— Diana Tsui, Footwear News, 15 June 2026

Definition of curves

Verb

As the piano arches into a sparkling glissando, a harp follows suit, carving out space for a light, airy synthesizer drone to materialize.

— Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 13 July 2026
My friend also recommends the Hoka Clifton style, which takes pressure off your heels and arches thanks to the rocker-style sole.

— Cheryl Wagemann, InStyle, 11 July 2026