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
Relevance
1
as in bends
to cause to turn away from a straight line
the pitcher hooked the ball, and the batter missed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in curves
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
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
Laura Sirikul,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
Use the full height of the walls with bookcases, cabinets, or a row of hooks to draw the eye upward.
—
Kristin Hohenadel,
The Spruce,
29 June 2026
All About Love by bell hooks Author bell hooks redefines love as an active practice rooted in care, compassion, and commitment rather than romance or desire.
—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
26 June 2026
Her new album, Fata Morgana, uses an array of cascading rhythms, impish hooks, and fierce poetry to interrogate her place in a corrupt American society.
—
Hattie Lindert,
Pitchfork,
25 June 2026
After all, the only book titled Communion that deserves our attention this week and any week is the one by bell hooks.
—
Literary Hub,
25 June 2026
Members of the Yarnicorns knitting and crochet group worked yarn through hooks and needles.
—
Panashe Matemba-Mutasa,
Mercury News,
20 June 2026
Each sail corner has a D-ring and uses some combination of hooks, ropes or clips to anchor to the surface.
—
Bestreviews,
Chicago Tribune,
19 June 2026
The Florsjön wall shelf would be a thoughtful addition to any bathroom that could benefit from more organization—use the hooks to keep towels or your enviable robe rotation off the floor, while housing everyone’s toothbrushes safely on the top shelf.
—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
18 June 2026
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
Set in the late 1980s, the film follows 13-year-old Felice (an exceptional Tiziano Menichelli), a budding tennis star whose overbearing father hooks him up with Raul Getti (Favino), a flameout former pro with a new lithium prescription and a serious ladies-man streak.
—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
29 Apr. 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.
—
InStyle,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
The album, which features some of their songs in Spanish, is filled with addictive beats, earworm lyrics, and memorable hooks that blend hyper-pop, hip-hop, house, dance, and alternative pop with Latin beats.
—
Laura Sirikul,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
Use the full height of the walls with bookcases, cabinets, or a row of hooks to draw the eye upward.
—
Kristin Hohenadel,
The Spruce,
29 June 2026
All About Love by bell hooks Author bell hooks redefines love as an active practice rooted in care, compassion, and commitment rather than romance or desire.
—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
26 June 2026
Her new album, Fata Morgana, uses an array of cascading rhythms, impish hooks, and fierce poetry to interrogate her place in a corrupt American society.
—
Hattie Lindert,
Pitchfork,
25 June 2026
After all, the only book titled Communion that deserves our attention this week and any week is the one by bell hooks.
—
Literary Hub,
25 June 2026
Members of the Yarnicorns knitting and crochet group worked yarn through hooks and needles.
—
Panashe Matemba-Mutasa,
Mercury News,
20 June 2026
Each sail corner has a D-ring and uses some combination of hooks, ropes or clips to anchor to the surface.
—
Bestreviews,
Chicago Tribune,
19 June 2026
The Florsjön wall shelf would be a thoughtful addition to any bathroom that could benefit from more organization—use the hooks to keep towels or your enviable robe rotation off the floor, while housing everyone’s toothbrushes safely on the top shelf.
—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
18 June 2026
Verb
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
Set in the late 1980s, the film follows 13-year-old Felice (an exceptional Tiziano Menichelli), a budding tennis star whose overbearing father hooks him up with Raul Getti (Favino), a flameout former pro with a new lithium prescription and a serious ladies-man streak.
—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
29 Apr. 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.
—
InStyle,
20 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hooks
Noun
-
Rey exploded on Ethan with 10-count punches, but a tilt-a-whirl was countered by Page with a sitout faceplant.
-
Members of Rita's loyalty program who use the Rita’s Ice app will get double loyalty punches with a purchase of the treat.
Verb
-
As if the arc of history just naturally bends towards justice without aggrieved people putting pressure on it.
-
The star crossing in front of the other one brightens and bends the latter object’s light, thereby acting like a giant magnifying glass.
Verb
-
Empower connects to a wide range of accounts, including bank accounts, IRAs, retirement plans, loans, credit cards and mortgages.
-
Inside, the interiors strike a balance between classic New England and contemporary design, with white shiplap walls, playful wallpaper, warm wood accents, and a spiral staircase that connects the upper and lower levels.
Verb
-
John Krasinski stars as a jet-setting art thief who steals priceless paintings to help uncover clues as to the whereabouts of the fabled Fountain of Youth.
-
Carr is not a point-of-attack defender, gets beat in isolation and doesn’t collect nearly as many steals for a player with his physical gifts.
Verb
-
What actually cuts through and grabs attention nowadays is humanity, clarity and credibility in messaging.
-
When Martinez throws something back, the woman rushes toward her, throws her to the ground, grabs her by the hair and repeatedly attacks her as bystanders try to step in and help.
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.
-
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.
Noun
-
Onaje died four days later — having suffered fatal brain hemorrhaging from multiple blows to his skull.
-
Officers said that Samartino quickly assessed the situation and immediately began administering back blows to the infant.
Verb
-
Smith arches over the patient, his body an umbrella to protect the wound.
-
The protective netting that arches over so many of the roads in the eastern Donbas region – stopping drones in their tracks – is not your friend here, but a limitation on movement.
Cite this Entry
“Hooks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hooks. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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