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

Give me three alternative hooks for the opening line—each should stop a reader mid-scroll, and each should take a different approach. — Aytekin Tank, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 Over-the-door organizers and hooks can store laundry bags and hangers without eating into floor space. — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 16 Aug. 2026 Each rack has four slots for brooms and mops in addition to five hooks to hang your dustpan, cleaning brushes, and other miscellaneous items like umbrellas that tend to become cluttered in the closet’s floor. — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 13 Aug. 2026 Think subtle white hooks for a light-colored curtain, or even ones with small crystal detailing. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026 Calendars, key hooks, magnetic memo boards and chalk or whiteboard surfaces all help keep busy households on track. — ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026 In a small entryway, Reynolds says hooks for coats and bags are an excellent alternative to a bulky piece of furniture. — Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 8 Aug. 2026 On Podium, Cheekface dial up both the hooks and the sociopolitical dread, but absurdist humor remains their defense mechanism for a world spiraling out of control. — Zach Schonfeld, Pitchfork, 3 Aug. 2026 Extensive testing has ruled out several possible causes, including lead poisoning, cancer and metal objects such as fishing hooks. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2026

Verb

The airy weave diffuses daylight through the fabric’s natural texture, while the versatile curtain band works with tracks, curtain rods, or hooks for a clean installation. — Nina Derwin, Architectural Digest, 14 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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hooks

Noun

And then a full-on brawl with punches exchanged to top it off.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Its unfiltered approach blends big laughs with social commentary and emotional gut punches, a combination that immediately drew Belli in.

— Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of punches

Verb

Wollner embraces her knack for surrealism as the piece bends time, past and present blurring.

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 2026
As sunlight passes through the edges of Earth’s atmosphere, shorter blue wavelengths scatter away while the atmosphere bends the remaining red and orange light towards the moon.

— Michael d'Estries, Travel + Leisure, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of bends

Verb

The athlete had a rare cancer known as nasopharyngeal cancer, which affects the tissue that connects the back of the nose to the back of the mouth, per Cleveland Clinic.

— Julie Tremaine, PEOPLE, 16 Aug. 2026
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, is located between Yemen and the Horn of Africa, connects the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea to the Red Sea and, farther north, the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean.

— Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of connects

Verb

Desperate to believe his life is about to change, Tommy steals Wayne’s car and begins driving his band from Kansas City to Los Angeles, hell bent on getting there in three days.

— Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026
In recent years, mischievous younger brother Prince Louis often steals the show with his cheeky antics.

— Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of steals

Verb

But his wildly unfiltered speech grabs the attention of beautiful and brash public defender Ginger (Gilpin), herself a crusader for truth.

— Denise Petski, Deadline, 12 Aug. 2026
Profanity also grabs attention since the shock value of an F-bomb can lead to more media coverage and clips circulating on social media.

— Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of grabs

Verb

Uganda, a country that curves around Lake Victoria, took on a completely different shape.

— Eleanor Jacobs, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026
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

Definition of curves

Noun

Former boxer Prichard Colón has died at age 33, 11 years after sustaining life-altering blows to the head during the only defeat of his professional career.

— Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Some encouraging blows for common sense were struck by primary voters to our north on Tuesday, on both sides of the aisle.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026