Synonyms of slam

slam 1 of 2

verb

ˈslam 

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

• shut
• lock
• bang
• close
• latch
• stop
• seal
• fasten
• secure
• bar
• batten (down)
• bolt
• chain

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• open
• unlock
• unlatch
• unseal
• unfasten
• unbolt
• unbar

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

• knock
• hit
• slap
• smack
• bang
• punch
• strike
• clap
• whack
• swipe
• clip
• pound
• bat
• crack
• bash
• swat
• kick
• thump
• shove
• nail
• box
• push
• tap
• hammer
• lick
• bludgeon
• jab
• rap
• bop
• smite
• poke
• clobber
• slug
• stab
• clock
• tag
• flick
• clout
• chop
• zap
• belt
• bob
• thwack
• wallop
• sock
• paste
• bonk
• bump
• whale
• stroke
• bust
• pummel
• biff
• slog
• beat
• maul
• mangle
• rough
• lambaste
• slash
• hang one on
• drub
• bung
• buffet
• knee
• pepper
• batter
• dump
• jostle
• cuff
• butt
• lash
• prod
• scuff
• floor
• stamp
• pelt
• deck
• fell
• bunt
• whip
• pommel
• switch
• cudgel
• cream
• thrash
• lace
• cane
• bowl (down or over)
• knock down
• club
• spear
• sledge
• flail
• brain
• level
• sledgehammer
• conk
• bean
• flog
• sap
• sucker punch
• skull
• rabbit-punch

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

• bump
• collide
• bang
• smash
• knock
• hit
• crash
• ram
• impinge
• swipe
• impact
• thud
• strike
• bash
• bounce
• scrape
• skip
• glance
• rebound
• push
• sweep
• brush
• contact
• ricochet
• kiss
• land
• skim
• touch
• graze
• clunk
• nudge
• muscle
• shave
• jostle
• carom
• press
• bulldoze

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• miss
• skirt

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

• attack
• scold
• insult
• criticize
• savage
• abuse
• blast
• assail
• bash
• excoriate
• lambaste
• tie into
• jump (on)
• castigate
• sail into
• potshot
• vituperate
• harass
• curse
• berate
• trash
• belabor
• scathe
• revile
• beat up on
• light into
• harangue
• blaspheme
• belittle
• reprimand
• disparage
• affront
• chastise
• vilify
• whip
• slur
• chide
• libel
• harry
• profane
• asperse
• execrate
• slander
• blackguard
• bad-mouth
• rebuke
• lace (into)
• imprecate
• fulminate
• traduce
• put down
• lash (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• commend
• praise
• compliment
• hail
• laud
• acclaim

slam

2 of 2

noun

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

• blow
• knock
• slap
• thump
• thud
• hit
• swipe
• punch
• whack
• stroke
• pound
• smack
• spank
• poke
• lick
• bang
• beat
• swat
• clap
• clip
• switch
• smash
• hook
• kick
• chop
• bash
• lash
• rap
• crack
• bop
• bat
• belt
• hack
• pick
• slug
• pounding
• buffet
• cuff
• box
• sock
• wham
• pelt
• biff
• plump
• stripe
• wallop
• knee
• haymaker
• bust
• swing
• clout
• thwack
• dab
• fillip
• beating
• licking
• welt
• douse
• stinger
• hand
• counter
• whop
• larrup
• left
• hammering
• right
• counterstroke
• roundhouse
• body blow
• one-two
• whip
• sucker punch
• whipping
• shiver
• thrashing
• KO
• battering
• knockdown
• knockout
• counterpunch
• uppercut
• sidewinder
• counterblow
• pummeling
• rabbit punch
• drubbing
• flogging
• pasting
• clobbering
• cudgeling
• walloping
• kayo
• bludgeoning
• lambasting
• cruncher
• right-hander
• bastinado

2

as in bang

a loud explosive sound

shut the door with a loud slam

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bang
• clap
• boom
• pop
• blast
• crash
• thunderclap
• crack
• smash
• knock
• whack
• roar
• tap
• report
• snap
• thwack
• whomp
• whump
• thunk
• clash
• howl
• clang
• clank
• wham
• rap
• hue and cry
• clamor
• outcry
• blare
• clangor
• hullabaloo
• tumult
• hubbub
• uproar

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

• jail
• penitentiary
• prison
• pen
• lockup
• brig
• jailhouse
• hock
• big house
• slammer
• jug
• cage
• stir
• cooler
• stockade
• can
• joint
• clink
• hold
• pokey
• coop
• quod
• calaboose
• tank
• guardroom
• bastille
• bridewell
• hoosegow
• bull pen
• nick
• dungeon
• cell
• tolbooth
• hole
• block
• labor camp
• prison camp
• ward
• concentration camp
• keep
• guardhouse
• hulk(s)
• work camp
• reform school
• gulag
• glasshouse
• stalag
• training school
• oubliette
• reformatory

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• outside

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

• collision
• thump
• shock
• crash
• jolt
• impact
• blow
• slap
• pounding
• bump
• kick
• knock
• encounter
• concussion
• strike
• smash
• impingement
• contact
• hit
• punch
• wallop
• jar
• jounce
• hammering
• buffet
• bashing
• thrashing
• rap
• licking
• battering
• touch
• pummeling
• clobbering
• bludgeoning
• meeting
• lambasting

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of slam

Verb

There’s seat-shaking violence in how the whale breaches the surface and slams its weight back down (the crafty sound design is by James Miller) and body horror in its claustrophobic, spongy inner chambers. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Garrett Mitchell hit a go-ahead homer in the sixth inning and Milwaukee’s brilliant relievers slammed the door late, giving a vocal contingent of Brewers fans their chance to celebrate in the Dodger Stadium stands. — ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026

Noun

Underpronators, on the other hand, will do best with shoes that encourage midfoot or forefoot striking and mitigate heavy heel or lateral slams on the pavement. — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026

Right outside, at the intersection in front of Ash’s office, a yellow convertible slams into a black sedan, spinning to a halt in a cloud of smoke. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing slam

• slam dunk