1
as in to shut
to shove into a closed position with force and noise
please don't slam the door every time you step out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to knock
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
she slammed the ball deep into center field
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to bump
to come into usually forceful contact with something
the car slammed into the wall with a fearful crunch
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to attack
to criticize harshly and usually publicly
slammed the cast members for forgetting their lines on opening night
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in blow
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
gave the stubborn nail one last slam with the hammer
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in bang
a loud explosive sound
shut the door with a loud slam
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in jail
a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody
sported a gang tattoo on his arm that had gotten him plenty of respect in the slam
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in collision
a forceful coming together of two things
the sudden slam of my head against the trunk of the car
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 slam
Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
The incident comes as a powerful winter storm slams California, dumping heavy snow and bringing high winds across the Sierra Nevada.
—Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 18 Feb. 2026
Eddie Fontanez, AZCentral.com, 9 Feb. 2026
His struggle with Cooperstown voting is often attributed to him sharing the limelight with too many slam-dunk Hall of Fame pitchers of his era, like Jim Palmer and Tom Seaver.
—David Faris, TheWeek, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for slam
Verb
The severe winter storm that slammed into the area at the beginning of the week had been predicted long before the trip began.
—Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
The incident comes as a powerful winter storm slams California, dumping heavy snow and bringing high winds across the Sierra Nevada.
—Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 18 Feb. 2026
Noun
Michael Salerno The Starving Artist It’s become a tradition in my friend group to visit The Starving Artist after attending a concert or poetry slam at The Rebel Lounge.
—Eddie Fontanez, AZCentral.com, 9 Feb. 2026
His struggle with Cooperstown voting is often attributed to him sharing the limelight with too many slam-dunk Hall of Fame pitchers of his era, like Jim Palmer and Tom Seaver.
—David Faris, TheWeek, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for slam
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slam
Verb
-
There was also speculation Crosby would dress as a 13th forward, which is allowed in the Olympics, but Cooper shut that down.—
Patrick Damp,
CBS News,
22 Feb. 2026
-
America needs more social workers — and a pathway into the profession that expands opportunity, not one that shuts people out.—
David Kilmnick,
New York Daily News,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Even 6 inches of swiftly moving water can forcefully knock you off your feet.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Even just 6 inches of swiftly moving water can forcefully knock you off your feet.—
Mobile Web,
Mercury News,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
There’s an argument to be made that the Panthers should tear up Jackson’s contract and bump his pay.—
Joseph Person,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
There’s a lot of serendipity and people bumping into one another.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
When drones attacked Saudi Aramco facilities in Abqaiq, Saudi Arabia, in 2019, taking out 5% of the country’s oil production, prices spiked but surprisingly returned to normal within a matter of weeks.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The fight marks Strickland’s first bout since he was suspended from the UFC in July 2025 for attacking another fighter while working as a cornerman during an event.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In a 6-3 decision on Friday, the court dealt a major blow to the president's economic agenda.—
Julia Cherner,
ABC News,
22 Feb. 2026
-
The 6-3 ruling is a major blow to Trump's economic policy agenda.—
Kristin Wright,
NPR,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
My bangs stuck straight up, as if actively trying to escape my face.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
20 Feb. 2026
-
That quiet was punctuated only by muffled bangs, as Sugar Bowl ski patrollers set off explosives in the peaks above to mitigate the danger of an avalanche inbounds at the resort.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacbee.com,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Powell is accused of first-degree murder with a firearm and is being held without bond, according to Broward County jail records.—
Sofia Saric,
Miami Herald,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Myers, 58, was released from jail after posting $100,000 bail, court records show.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Vehicle collisions on the road are a top cause of bear mortality.—
Shi En Kim,
AZCentral.com,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball got into a minor collision on Wednesday afternoon in uptown Charlotte.—
Rod Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Slam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slam. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
