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.
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Recent Examples of hooks
Alex Robert Ross, Pitchfork, 15 June 2026
Outdoor-grade string lights that are installed in threaded hooks will require little to no attention from you, while rechargeable lamps will need to be brought inside periodically and plugged in.
—Jenny Hughes, The Spruce, 15 June 2026
That means avoiding sticking to one type of organizational solution—such as hooks or baskets—and trying a mix of options.
—Better Homes & Gardens, 11 June 2026
In the title track, Lizzo interpolates two elder singer-songwriters, Missy Elliott and Meredith Brooks, who each flipped the slur into biting hooks in the late nineties.
—Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 11 June 2026
The four legs keep it stable, and the durable hooks hold your target in place.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 10 June 2026
Steve Rachman of Highland Park, of the Highland Park High School Class of 1977, and of CERT (Community Emergency Response Team), volunteered to help families prepare their hooks, educating them about the art of fishing.
—Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026
Just punch small holes at the top, attach hooks or wire loops on both sides, fill it with water, and hang it just above your feeder.
—Aviva Patz, Martha Stewart, 6 June 2026
The guide had found a fishing line and hooks in his duffel.
—Byron W. Dalrymple, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2026
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
Start with your transformation story that hooks from line one.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 18 Jan. 2026
Unable to deal with Max any longer, Nathan asks Joe to send Max down and hooks the Jet Ski to the crane himself.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2026
Noun
Despite her lofty ambitions, the avant-pop singer is at her most compelling when grounded in the earthly pleasures of four-to-the-floor beats and straightforward, theatrical hooks.
—Alex Robert Ross, Pitchfork, 15 June 2026
Outdoor-grade string lights that are installed in threaded hooks will require little to no attention from you, while rechargeable lamps will need to be brought inside periodically and plugged in.
—Jenny Hughes, The Spruce, 15 June 2026
That means avoiding sticking to one type of organizational solution—such as hooks or baskets—and trying a mix of options.
—Better Homes & Gardens, 11 June 2026
In the title track, Lizzo interpolates two elder singer-songwriters, Missy Elliott and Meredith Brooks, who each flipped the slur into biting hooks in the late nineties.
—Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 11 June 2026
The four legs keep it stable, and the durable hooks hold your target in place.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 10 June 2026
Steve Rachman of Highland Park, of the Highland Park High School Class of 1977, and of CERT (Community Emergency Response Team), volunteered to help families prepare their hooks, educating them about the art of fishing.
—Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026
Just punch small holes at the top, attach hooks or wire loops on both sides, fill it with water, and hang it just above your feeder.
—Aviva Patz, Martha Stewart, 6 June 2026
The guide had found a fishing line and hooks in his duffel.
—Byron W. Dalrymple, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2026
Verb
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
Start with your transformation story that hooks from line one.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 18 Jan. 2026
Unable to deal with Max any longer, Nathan asks Joe to send Max down and hooks the Jet Ski to the crane himself.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hooks
Noun
-
After a first round where Steve Garcia seemed to land more punches and Lopes looked hesitant, Lopes won the bout in the second round by knockout, with a furious combination of punches, starting with a right and left hand to Garcia's face.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
15 June 2026
-
Three days before the first punches are set to be thrown at a White House-UFC event, the South Lawn is unrecognizable.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
The infrastructure bends with them.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
5 Aug. 2025
-
The gusset acts as extra reinforcement that could mean the difference between calling a tow truck and limping to civilization even if the spindle bends.—
Kristin Shaw,
Popular Science,
31 July 2025
Verb
-
One such way, of course, is with the Justice Gang cameo on Peacemaker, which further connects the show to Superman — not to mention Cena's brief appearance in the film.—
Carson Blackwelder,
People.com,
22 Aug. 2025
-
As Erin tracked north, surfers took advantage of the building swells and others evacuated along Highway 12, the sole highway that connects the Outer Banks.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Thirty years after making its film debut, Park Hyatt Tokyo emerges from a landmark renovation and steals the spotlight once again.—
Carrie Bell,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
The film won the Berlin Silver Bear in 2012 and stars Seydoux as a troubled young woman caring for her little brother who steals ski equipment to support them both.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Your Cholesterol Levels May Improve Oatmeal contains beta-glucans, a type of soluble fiber that grabs onto cholesterol and carries it out of your body.—
Kathleen Ferraro,
Verywell Health,
10 Dec. 2025
-
Journalists assume that Cinetic has the best taste, grabs the top films out of festivals, and executes with finesse.—
Anne Thompson,
IndieWire,
10 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
The dials are all adorned with a railway minute track that curves around every petal to accentuate the flower’s form.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
American and Iranian forces continued trading blows.—
Ali Vaez,
Time,
15 June 2026
-
The biggest blows came from Garcia and Starling Marte.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
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.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
18 May 2026
-
Inside, stone arches top Roman columns overlooking courtyard after courtyard.—
Jane Arraf,
NPR,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hooks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hooks. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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