as in hitting
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
she got so angry that she slugged the back of the chair and knocked it over
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of slugging
Power surge The Padres are slugging more lately.
—
Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Sep. 2025
The Diamondbacks were deadline sellers, shipping slugging corner infielders Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suárez to the Seattle Mariners.
—Daniel R. Epstein, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
After Otto Lopez grounded out to third, slugging catcher Agustin Ramirez represented the tying run with one out.
—Alex Krutchik, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
Our family had spent the day knee-deep in Disillusionment Bay, gigging beach frogs and slugging fireweed tea.
—Charna Flam, People.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Amadou Onana remained but, having been trailed as a third centre-back in pre-season to do a similar role as Kamara should Villa be without a right-footed centre-back, Emery decided to keep him slugging away in midfield.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
No one is quite sure because Tucker hit well for a stretch after the injury, which was not fully disclosed at the time, and then stopped slugging completely, with no home runs since July 17.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2025
The New York Yankees seemed to unlock something at the plate on Tuesday, slugging nine home runs against the Tampa Bay Rays for the win.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
Julio Rodriguez, who had some difficulty navigating center field at the small ballpark, scored on a Jorge Polanco single in the 4th to get the Mariners a run back before the Mets started slugging in the 5th and chased Kirby out of the game.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 17 Aug. 2025
Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Sep. 2025
The Diamondbacks were deadline sellers, shipping slugging corner infielders Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suárez to the Seattle Mariners.
—Daniel R. Epstein, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
After Otto Lopez grounded out to third, slugging catcher Agustin Ramirez represented the tying run with one out.
—Alex Krutchik, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
Our family had spent the day knee-deep in Disillusionment Bay, gigging beach frogs and slugging fireweed tea.
—Charna Flam, People.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Amadou Onana remained but, having been trailed as a third centre-back in pre-season to do a similar role as Kamara should Villa be without a right-footed centre-back, Emery decided to keep him slugging away in midfield.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
No one is quite sure because Tucker hit well for a stretch after the injury, which was not fully disclosed at the time, and then stopped slugging completely, with no home runs since July 17.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2025
The New York Yankees seemed to unlock something at the plate on Tuesday, slugging nine home runs against the Tampa Bay Rays for the win.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
Julio Rodriguez, who had some difficulty navigating center field at the small ballpark, scored on a Jorge Polanco single in the 4th to get the Mariners a run back before the Mets started slugging in the 5th and chased Kirby out of the game.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 17 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slugging
Verb
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Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Oct. 2025
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The Dodgers are one of the better teams in baseball at hitting changeups from lefties like Sánchez.—
Charlotte Varnes,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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While they were lined up, members put on boxing gloves and took turns punching the pledges four times in the chest, according to the petition.—
Jennifer Rodriguez,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
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Jahmai Jones’ two-run single in the top of the fifth proved the difference, punching Detroit’s ticket to the playoffs and ensuring the Tigers would go into Game 162 with a chance to claw back the AL Central title from the insurgent Cleveland Guardians on the final day of the regular season.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Omarion Hampton injured his ankle, knocking him out of the game.—
Michael Salfino,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
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Some rope and stanchion kept them from knock, knocking on the wood.—
Bryan West,
Nashville Tennessean,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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By slapping a $100,000 filing fee on H=1B visas, the White House has declared the days of cheap labor pipelines and visa abuse officially over.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
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On the knee-to-knee collision between each team’s superstar, Collier badly rolled her left ankle and was lying on the floor and slapping the court with her hand as Thomas made her drive.—
Mike Cook,
Twin Cities,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Really, there’s only one character onstage who commands an audience’s attention, and that’s Hines’ gum-smacking sister-in-law, who turns from antagonist to supporter.—
Rob Hubbard,
Twin Cities,
22 Sep. 2025
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Cal Raleigh tied Mickey Mantle for most home runs in one season for a switch hitter after smacking his 54th dinger yesterday.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Kirk followed Guerrero the next inning, slamming the first of his two homers over the outfield wall.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
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Nonprofit watchdog group Human Rights Watch and fellow comedians like David Cross and Marc Maron, however, are saying otherwise, accusing the festival of deflecting from the country's human rights violations and slamming their peers for their involvement.—
Jessica Wang,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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For many, banging them in against the likes of Konyaspor and Goztepe last term is not a convincing retort to those questions.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
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In a trial that began Wednesday, six Cubans, including independent journalist José Gabriel Barrenechea, also face sentences of up to nine years in prison for staging a cacerolazo protest, banging pots and pans during a blackout in the Villa Clara province in November 2024.—
Nora Gamez Torres,
Miami Herald,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Layered with live jazz and pounding percussion from experimental duo Robin Schulkowsky and Joey Baron, the result gave Hedda an extra pulse.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Oct. 2025
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My heart was pounding in my chest and in my ears.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Slugging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slugging. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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