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
Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
The school resource officer who body-slammed a girl at West Charlotte High School last year was suspended without pay for excessive force, according to a letter from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department to the girl’s family.
—Charlotte Observer, 21 Apr. 2026
Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2026
Unlike more formal readings, the slam format creates a space where emotion, performance and audience response unfold in real time.
—Miguel Sirgado, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for slam
Verb
None of the 109 people on board a ValuJet DC-9 survived Saturday when their plane slammed into the earth west of Miami International Airport.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
The school resource officer who body-slammed a girl at West Charlotte High School last year was suspended without pay for excessive force, according to a letter from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department to the girl’s family.
—Charlotte Observer, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
That slam-dunk of a class with instant contributors allowed the Chiefs to allocate cap space to other needs.
—Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2026
Unlike more formal readings, the slam format creates a space where emotion, performance and audience response unfold in real time.
—Miguel Sirgado, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for slam
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slam
Verb
-
The Chernobyl disaster occurred when technicians at the power station, near Pripyat in the north of Ukraine, then part of the Soviet Union, ran a test on reactor number four to simulate shutting it down during an electricity blackout.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
26 Apr. 2026
-
One investor shut her down quickly.—
Wendy Naugle,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The female actually knocks him down to the ground.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
22 Apr. 2026
-
High-profile Democrats urged people to call their friends and knock on doors.—
Nataliya Gumenyuk,
The Dial,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
If the sun does manage to come out, that will help us out and help bump highs into the lower 60s.—
Steven Sosna,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Three Georgia State Patrol troopers who intentionally bumped vehicles or performed other maneuvers to stop vehicles during pursuits sought payouts afterward from the other driver's insurance, claiming personal injuries to supplement their paychecks, an internal investigation found.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Clayton Peavey, 31, used a concrete brick to attack a Chick-fil-A employee in March, leaving her with several gashes on her head and requiring stitches.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Mendoza is accurate to all three levels of the field and has developed a great understanding of when and where to attack down the field.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Arsenal’s title challenge is back on track, Liverpool have been dealt a potentially season-defining injury blow, and Fantasy Premier League managers now have just four Gameweeks left to make their mark.—
Abdul Rehman,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The loss of Kidal represents a significant blow to Russia’s credibility in Mali, where the military junta has relied on mercenaries to combat Islamic extremism.—
Wilson Mcmakin,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The first and most obvious change is her bangs.—
Vicky Vera,
Glamour,
26 Apr. 2026
-
They and others were seated at the front of the ballroom when video captured what sounded like at least five loud bangs before armed officers rushed in and hauled the president, first lady, Vice President JD Vance and others away while other attendees ducked down under tables.—
Garrett Haake,
NBC news,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
He had been booked into the jail in late November on a probation violation warrant.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
She was booked into the county jail and released on $1,000 bond.—
Sean Joseph OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In addition, a 60-year-old woman was killed last month on a Davis bike path in a collision that involved an e-bike.—
Ashley Sharp,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The collision also left their 18-year-old friend critically injured.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Slam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slam. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
