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
After slugging three homers with 12 RBI during the Dodgers’ World Series run last year, Hernández took Max Scherzer deep in the bottom of the second inning tonight, which gives him five home runs during this year’s playoff run.
—
Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 28 Oct. 2025
After a scoreless sixth inning from both teams, the Dodgers came alive in the seventh as All-Star catcher Will Smith launched a solo home run, and slugging third baseman Max Muncy hit a solo shot of his own.
—Gabe Smallson, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
Despite slugging seven home runs so far, Monday marked their first with a runner on base.
—Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
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
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
Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 28 Oct. 2025
After a scoreless sixth inning from both teams, the Dodgers came alive in the seventh as All-Star catcher Will Smith launched a solo home run, and slugging third baseman Max Muncy hit a solo shot of his own.
—Gabe Smallson, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
Despite slugging seven home runs so far, Monday marked their first with a runner on base.
—Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
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
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
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,
9 Nov. 2025
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After an incompletion on third down, McCashland’s 25-yard field goal attempt was no good, hitting the right upright with 17 seconds remaining in the half.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Miami's defense has struggled to keep opponents out of the end zone, allowing 27 points per game, but the offense has struggled just as much punching it in themselves, with the Dolphins only scoring 20 points per game, both of which rank in the bottom third of the league.—
Shaun McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
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Videos shared on social media showed federal agents pinning a man to the ground and punching him in the head.—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The right words can open doors the heart’s been knocking on for a while.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
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Once the buzz starts, fringe brands come knocking.—
Chris Cardillo,
Rolling Stone,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Mimicking what happened seven years earlier after the Dallas playoff win in Charlotte, the players ran back outside and took a lap around the stadium, slapping hands with delirious home fans.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Jan. 2026
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That means not just the sound of rubber slapping the pavement or the whir of electric motors—the soundtrack of a Formula E race—but something new and artificial or, more generously, bespoke.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
15 Dec. 2025
Verb
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And the good vibes of those wins quickly dissolved with Toronto smacking them around in the fourth quarter of a blowout loss.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
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Malika was now smacking the rug in rhythm.—
Joan Silber,
New Yorker,
30 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Instead of slamming it home, Antetokounmpo soared over the defenders to make an improbable catch, landed and flicked an on-target pass to Rollins for a corner 3 before falling out of bounds to give Milwaukee a 14-point lead.—
Eric Nehm,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
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His brief mention of the shutdown focused on slamming Democrats.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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One woman carried a flag for Palestine, while a man banging a cowbell hung a flag of communist Cuba on his backpack.—
Asra Q. Nomani , Nikolas Lanum , Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
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Gamers have turned to walkthroughs and hints for years, but usually after banging their own heads against difficult challenges, and hence learning something in the process.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Russia has been pounding Ukraine’s energy infrastructure with drones and missiles in recent weeks, a tactic used in previous winters.—
Kosta Gak,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
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But those massive events aren’t the only way for fans to experience the heart-pounding thrills and sense of community that only live sports can deliver.—
Ava Wallace,
Washington Post,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Slugging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slugging. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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