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
Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 2 June 2026
Sunday's playoff loss to Henley was the second time in his young-ish Tour career that he's had to witness his opponent birdie the first extra hole to slam the door shut.
—Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026
ABC News, 27 May 2026
Page hit a big kick and then a body slam for another nearfall.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for slam
Verb
The two Republican candidates for governor slammed Healey for publicly supporting Platner.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 2 June 2026
Sunday's playoff loss to Henley was the second time in his young-ish Tour career that he's had to witness his opponent birdie the first extra hole to slam the door shut.
—Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026
Noun
Murakami followed Meidroth's slam with a home run to make it 14-2.
—ABC News, 27 May 2026
Page hit a big kick and then a body slam for another nearfall.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for slam
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slam
Verb
-
Nonetheless, a strong breeze threatens that window to shut abruptly.—
Mark Medina,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
Instead of shutting vents, consider having a professional install or adjust butterfly dampers at the main duct line for more effective and safe airflow control.—
Meghan Overdeep,
Southern Living,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
Within Kyiv, five medical facilities and several residential and commercial blocks were damaged or destroyed, sparking fires, burning cars and knocking debris onto a kindergarten, authorities reported.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
-
Even 6 inches of swiftly moving water can forcefully knock you off your feet.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
To alleviate all that blockiness and bulk, the architects chiseled it like a block of marble, shaving here, notching there, bumping out, and pulling in to give it interest in the round.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
4 June 2026
-
This will bump their salaries above $101,000.—
Willie Wilson,
Chicago Tribune,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Rather than attacking all rapidly growing cells, as chemotherapy does, the drug targets a key cancer-driving pathway known as KRAS, which is involved in more than 90% of pancreatic tumors.—
Luzdelia Caballero,
CBS News,
5 June 2026
-
Akindahunsi is accused of attacking several women the night of May 28.—
Summer Lin,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
To pay for her medical bills, the family had to sell most of their remaining cattle and goats, a bitter blow after years of drought had already decimated local herds.—
Tommy Trenchard,
NPR,
31 May 2026
-
This makes for a significant setback but not necessarily a fatal blow to the facility.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
Right now, the best bang for your buck is the Chase Sapphire Reserve (see rates and fees), which has an all-time-high offer of 150,000 points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.—
Kelsey Neubauer,
CNBC,
30 May 2026
-
Hesty is known among zoo staff and visitors for the long, swooping bangs that hang over her face.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
She is being held on $500,000 bond, according to jail records reviewed by PEOPLE on May 30.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
31 May 2026
-
On Friday, a judge sentenced him to 60 days in jail, followed by 22 months of probation.—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
This is no coincidence; galactic mergers are more likely at the cluster’s gravitational center, and astronomers think the chaos of such collisions helps give ellipticals their characteristic spheroidal shape.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
29 May 2026
-
The Idaho Transportation Department plans to restripe a section of Interstate 84 between Meridian and Nampa, in the days after work-zone lane markings caused confusion among drivers and at least one near collision.—
Rose Evans
May 29,
Idaho Statesman,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Slam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slam. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
