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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Hang lunchboxes and grocery bags in a pantry, or add the hooks to an empty closet wall for sports bags and handbags. — Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2026 Eyes ruptured by knives, fireworks, bungee cords, windshields, beer bottles, sticks, rocks, fish hooks, and more. — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 3 Nov. 2026 Episodes are cheap and fast to make, so publishers can test formats, storylines and hooks at a volume traditional video can’t match. — Phoena Pang, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026 Their music, an exhilarated fusion of pop, rock, and perennial hooks, is woven into the fabric of a generation. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2026 Greene is a sampler first, and a good one, but original hooks haven’t always been his strong suit. — Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 23 Oct. 2026 Two-inch straps tipped with zinc alloy hooks lock the cover down and cut back on the constant readjusting that plagues cheaper slipcovers. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2026 Always make sure your line is strong and hooks are sharp for a moment like this. — Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026 The New England Aquarium research scientist cuts up frozen Atlantic menhaden, known locally as pogies, secures them to circle hooks attached to several fishing rods, and casts them into the shallow water. — Asia London Palomba, Christian Science Monitor, 20 Oct. 2026

Verb

Chrysalis hooks its clients up with social services and teaches them how to write a resume, navigate online job listings and handle an interview. — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026 Right before guests arrive, attach fishing line to the wire cage and hang the fall flower arrangement using cup hooks indoors or on nearby branches outside. — Maria Sabella, Architectural Digest, 20 Aug. 2026 Blatt hooks in a forehand for another match point opportunity, but Campbell wins an amazing rally for 22-22. — Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Earbuds Deal The Soundcore C50i open-ear earbuds feature a clip-on FlexiClip design that hooks securely over your ear without blocking your ear canal. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 7 Aug. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hooks

Noun

Once upon a time, Georgia-Florida was an annual heavyweight fight, two proud programs trading punches and championships while their fans traded insults and cocktails in Jacksonville.

— Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Oct. 2026
Michael rolls with his partner’s punches, seeing it as ordinary courtroom tussling.

— Noel Murray, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of punches

Verb

Keeping time is a natural theme for the novel, and Li bends it to her will, often flashing forward to reveal events in her characters’ futures.

— Radhika Jones, New York Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Phoebe Bridgers, in her first film role, pulls off an uncanny transformation as a decoy who bends lines of age and gender.

— Joe Reid, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of bends

Verb

The model uses a World Reasoning Action Model (WRAM) architecture that connects reasoning, prediction and physical action, allowing robots to interpret instructions, anticipate outcomes and translate decisions into movements.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026
Meanwhile, construction management education connects that technical understanding to cost, contracts, scheduling, resources and project delivery.

— Nikhil Chandankhede, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of connects

Verb

Notre Dame guard Hannah Hidalgo steals the ball from UConn guard Kayleigh Heckel during the second half in an Elite Eight game on March 29, 2026, in Fort Worth, Texas.

— Doug Feinberg, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
Plus, in the end, another chain, Sizzler, swoops in and steals all the cows.

— Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of steals

Verb

Why the ridiculous prices are worth it Bob Baffert grabs a water out of a nearby cooler to keep the searing heat and humidity at bay.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2026
Illinois center Tomislav Ivišić grabs a rebound past UConn forward Jayden Ross during the first half of their Final Four game on April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

— Steve Megargee, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of grabs

Verb

Animators studied ostriches before feeding their digital movement curves into a six-axis mechanical rig carrying the performers.

— Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Ukiah to Boonville Head southwest on Highway 253, a two-lane road that curves through a dense forest.

— Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of curves

Verb

The ceiling arches in the back, hiding a tiny alcove where a couple sits tucked close, their legs tangled beneath the table.

— Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 12 Aug. 2026
The galaxy arches high across the sky, with its brightest and most detailed regions now well placed after dusk.

— Jamie Carter, Space.com, 7 Aug. 2026