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
Kelsey Glennon, Travel + Leisure, 26 Jan. 2026
There’s hardly any depth to the lyrics or the vocal hooks that Mustaine desperately tries work into each chorus.
—Quentin Thane Singer, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
That's because hooks can cause towels to hunch or sit in a position that can trap moisture rather than air it out.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 23 Jan. 2026
The jacket closed toward the bottom with three small hooks.
—Tara Larson, Footwear News, 22 Jan. 2026
It was optioned with the stabilizer disconnect switch ($1,300), rock rails ($950), Rigid fog lights ($680), TRD front skid plate ($560), ARB tow hooks ($425), and, get this, an off-road trail pipe ($75).
—Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 21 Jan. 2026
Valentino has its hooks in deep in the pop world, too.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 19 Jan. 2026
Brianna Untener, the founder of Brianna Scott Interiors, also dislikes large towel bars and suggests upgrading to more stylish hooks.
—Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 19 Jan. 2026
On her debut solo album, the English singer-songwriter—and member of Let’s Eat Grandma—channels childlike wonder and joy with euphoric hooks and a nostalgic synth-pop palette.
—Aimee Cliff, Pitchfork, 16 Jan. 2026
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
This compact device hooks onto your keychain or purse, and in the event of an emergency, simply pull the plug to activate a blaring alarm and strobe light duo.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 26 Dec. 2025
Install hooks either on the wall or over the back of the door to keep bags in check.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Dec. 2025
In contrast to AirPods, these headphones feature a sleek design that hooks over the ear and can be adjusted to ensure an extra secure grip.
—PC Magazine, 1 Dec. 2025
This excitement of the ghost hunt, which hooks paranormal tourists and keeps them returning, is a recurring theme among these travelers.
—Aaron Sagers, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
Each episode hooks viewers with edge-of-your-seat action and builds to big, climactic moments.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
These sturdy hooks can help reduce cabin clutter by getting everyday items like totes, umbrellas, and lanyards off of surfaces.
—Kelsey Glennon, Travel + Leisure, 26 Jan. 2026
There’s hardly any depth to the lyrics or the vocal hooks that Mustaine desperately tries work into each chorus.
—Quentin Thane Singer, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
That's because hooks can cause towels to hunch or sit in a position that can trap moisture rather than air it out.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 23 Jan. 2026
The jacket closed toward the bottom with three small hooks.
—Tara Larson, Footwear News, 22 Jan. 2026
It was optioned with the stabilizer disconnect switch ($1,300), rock rails ($950), Rigid fog lights ($680), TRD front skid plate ($560), ARB tow hooks ($425), and, get this, an off-road trail pipe ($75).
—Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 21 Jan. 2026
Valentino has its hooks in deep in the pop world, too.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 19 Jan. 2026
Brianna Untener, the founder of Brianna Scott Interiors, also dislikes large towel bars and suggests upgrading to more stylish hooks.
—Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 19 Jan. 2026
On her debut solo album, the English singer-songwriter—and member of Let’s Eat Grandma—channels childlike wonder and joy with euphoric hooks and a nostalgic synth-pop palette.
—Aimee Cliff, Pitchfork, 16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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
This compact device hooks onto your keychain or purse, and in the event of an emergency, simply pull the plug to activate a blaring alarm and strobe light duo.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 26 Dec. 2025
Install hooks either on the wall or over the back of the door to keep bags in check.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Dec. 2025
In contrast to AirPods, these headphones feature a sleek design that hooks over the ear and can be adjusted to ensure an extra secure grip.
—PC Magazine, 1 Dec. 2025
This excitement of the ghost hunt, which hooks paranormal tourists and keeps them returning, is a recurring theme among these travelers.
—Aaron Sagers, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
Each episode hooks viewers with edge-of-your-seat action and builds to big, climactic moments.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 8 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hooks
Noun
-
Fans chanted along for 10 count punches on Randy Orton, but Trick Williams once again got involved, making the most out of his status as the only heel in the ring.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
-
The Timberwolves began to sling 3-pointers and slam dunks, but the Bulls took those punches on the chin, holding off the onslaught by forcing second-chance points and drawing fouls.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Drunk on power The arc of tyranny bends toward degradation.—
David Brooks,
Mercury News,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Which bends, the man or the law?—
Michael Scherer,
The Atlantic,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The humanitarian aspect of Aquarius traits connects to research on moral foundations and prosociality.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
-
At the same time, the Krafts are looking to expand their Pawtriots initiative, which connects dogs in shelters with their forever families.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
If your boss repeatedly steals credit, your first move is not to react.—
Chris Lipp,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
When a ruthless despot steals a billion-dollar fortune, the team is sent to steal it back on what would be for anyone else a suicide mission.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Video shows that in the seconds before Pretti is shot, the 37-year-old ICU nurse grabs the observer’s backpack when he is pulled to the ground by a group of agents.—
Yahya Abou-Ghazala,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The officer grabs Pretti’s shirt at his chest, pulling him back toward the vehicle as Pretti’s arms flail.—
Michael Biesecker,
Fortune,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
About 10 minutes outside Page is Horseshoe Bend, where the Colorado curves through the vibrant red rock, making for a magnificent sight.—
Paige Moore,
AZCentral.com,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Maggie Daley Park Chicago The quarter-mile outdoor skating ribbon in Maggie Daley Park—with 27,500 feet of ice surface—is a looping path with slight elevation changes that curves past pine trees, a rock climbing wall, and a gorgeous city view.—
Erika Ebsworth-Goold,
Midwest Living,
4 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
My father had said to me, My heart hurt more than my body—the flesh can take blows, the heart suffers them.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
-
However, that good news comes after Johnson suffered political blows from an obstinate City Council opposition over the recent budget, on top of other losses for his progressive agenda.—
Jake Sheridan,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Instead, look to modern lattices, scallops, and arches for a timeless feel that’s still up to date.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Note, however, the Vision XL is also essentially one big 10-in-tall block with a completely flat roof, whereas some hardshell RTTs, including the Skycamp, have roof designs with a high point that arches down toward the front and/or back.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
13 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hooks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hooks. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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