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
Relevance
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 slugging
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
Myers ended his career with the Cincinnati Reds in 2023, slugging three home runs in 37 games in the Queen City.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
The New York Yankees capped a busy week by trading star closer Devin Williams to the New York Yankees Friday while the Chicago Cubs landed slugging outfielder Kyle Tucker, a three-time All-Star, from the Houston Astros.
—Dan Schlossberg, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
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
Myers ended his career with the Cincinnati Reds in 2023, slugging three home runs in 37 games in the Queen City.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
The New York Yankees capped a busy week by trading star closer Devin Williams to the New York Yankees Friday while the Chicago Cubs landed slugging outfielder Kyle Tucker, a three-time All-Star, from the Houston Astros.
—Dan Schlossberg, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slugging
Verb
-
Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
But the Braves came back with three runs in the eighth on an RBI single from Matt Olson, a run-scoring triple from the hot-hitting Ozzie Albies and a single from Drake Baldwin.—
David O'Brien,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But a federal judge ruled against the police agency, concluding there was sufficient evidence to proceed to trial — including a neighbor's cell phone video that captured a trooper punching the man in the face and slamming him to the ground.—
Tresa Baldas,
Freep.com,
5 Sep. 2025
-
While the employees of Dunder Mifflin largely were just punching a clock, the Truth Teller staff enjoys their work.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Roughly 89 hours after landing in Buffalo, there Prater was knocking the game-winning, walk-off 32-yard field goal through the uprights to beat the Baltimore Ravens 41-40 in what could be the NFL’s game of the year.—
Joe Buscaglia,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Fall is officially knocking at our doors, which means last month’s linen sets and sandals just won’t cut it.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
DraftKings, one of the biggest online sports gambling sites in Illinois, is slapping 50- or 25-cent fees on most bets.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Tchervinski can be seen in the viral video slapping one of the suspects, which his lawyer claims occurred after he had already been hit.—
,
FOXNews.com,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Under the hot summer sun, players drip sweat after repeatedly smacking into each other during long, physical practices.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
21 Aug. 2025
-
Montgomery gave the White Sox a 3-1 lead, smacking a two-run single to right field.—
Field Level Media,
Reuters,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Video evidence showed a trooper punching the man and slamming him to the ground during a 2021 incident.—
Tresa Baldas,
Freep.com,
5 Sep. 2025
-
In the disturbing footage, Raja was seen entering the ring and picking up Smith above his head before slamming him hard on the mat.—
Natasha Dye,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Adults nearby sprinted toward the loud, banging noises.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
29 Aug. 2025
-
The father had a massively fresh gash, from his right wrist, up across his whole hand, from banging and breaking iron and glass, to save his kinfolk.—
Arick Wierson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
And the thump, thump, thumping of her brother’s hands pounding a heavy bag.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
30 Aug. 2025
-
These unofficial remixes, uploaded from unremarkable accounts, create a kind of Satie-esque audio overdose, pounding the band’s melody into abstraction, pure stimulus.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
27 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Slugging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slugging. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share