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
That slugging potential was showcased early in his MLB career.
—
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026
Houston’s offense ranked eighth in the majors in batting average and sixth in slugging against left-handed pitching.
—Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 10 May 2026
The Shea Hey Kid Shea Langeliers, the Athletics’ slugging catcher, grew up far from Flushing, Queens — first in Oregon, then in Texas.
—Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 8 May 2026
But that doesn’t heal the pain the Braves’ (not so much) slugging third baseman has suffered through.
—Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 1 May 2026
Langeliers was second on the A’s in WAR behind slugging first baseman Nick Kurtz last year and leads the team so far this season.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
Bregman wasn’t fazed by it, slugging a game-tying home run in the eighth inning Friday for his first marquee moment in a Cubs uniform.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
Bryce Harper has been slugging with Victus bats for a while now — last season, Harper rocked a custom baby blue bat for a gender reveal when his wife Kayla was expecting their fourth child, Hayes Three Harper.
—Nikki Dementri, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
Rodriguez doesn’t have a home run yet this season after slugging seven of them a year ago.
—David Eckert, Austin American Statesman, 14 Mar. 2026
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026
Houston’s offense ranked eighth in the majors in batting average and sixth in slugging against left-handed pitching.
—Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 10 May 2026
The Shea Hey Kid Shea Langeliers, the Athletics’ slugging catcher, grew up far from Flushing, Queens — first in Oregon, then in Texas.
—Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 8 May 2026
But that doesn’t heal the pain the Braves’ (not so much) slugging third baseman has suffered through.
—Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 1 May 2026
Langeliers was second on the A’s in WAR behind slugging first baseman Nick Kurtz last year and leads the team so far this season.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
Bregman wasn’t fazed by it, slugging a game-tying home run in the eighth inning Friday for his first marquee moment in a Cubs uniform.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
Bryce Harper has been slugging with Victus bats for a while now — last season, Harper rocked a custom baby blue bat for a gender reveal when his wife Kayla was expecting their fourth child, Hayes Three Harper.
—Nikki Dementri, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
Rodriguez doesn’t have a home run yet this season after slugging seven of them a year ago.
—David Eckert, Austin American Statesman, 14 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slugging
Verb
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Kay, meanwhile, rebounded after a first inning filled with traffic — two singles and hitting a batter with a pitch — to top his previous career high of 5 2/3 innings.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
15 May 2026
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As Kelsey Luderer rounded third base and headed home Thursday after hitting a game-tying home run that ignited Sherman Oaks Notre Dame to a 6-3 Division 1 softball playoff win over Anaheim Canyon, she was greeted by every teammate at the plate.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
Verb
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And the hot honey sauce added just enough sweetness to balance the flavors, without the heat punching you in the face right away.—
Evan Moore
May 13,
Charlotte Observer,
13 May 2026
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The month prior, an adult man was charged after allegedly punching a police officer at the city's annual Light Up Night, and police issued a dispersal order when teens began to get rowdy.—
Finch Walker,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Video posted online by Kol Haolam News shows the Honda backing up and then driving into the pair of double doors, knocking one door off its hinges.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
14 May 2026
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The puck had just slipped through Poehling’s skates when McNabb crunched Poehling into the boards, knocking him out for the rest of the game and prompting an official review.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Among the plaintiffs, two protesters faced minor charges that were quickly dropped—each accused of impeding a federal officer for slapping the agent’s phone from their hand—while the other two were charged with no crimes at all.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
7 May 2026
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That meant a pre-existing zero-tariff trade environment for exporters on both sides of the Atlantic was overridden, slapping new duties onto Scotch whisky and other spirits sent to America from Britain.—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Chicago rookie Munetaka Murakami became the first player in major league history to homer in the first game of eight straight series, smacking a solo shot off Emerson Hancock (3-1) in the first.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 May 2026
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Chicago rookie Munetaka Murakami became the first player in major league history to homer in the first game of eight straight series, smacking a solo shot off Emerson Hancock (3-1) in the first.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Adam Carolla Adam Carolla has thrown his full support behind Pratt, repeatedly praising the former reality star and slamming his opponents.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
13 May 2026
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After that news conference, Senate Republicans held their own press briefing, slamming the proposals.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
Verb
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Howden doubled the lead with a shorthanded goal 7½ minutes later, finding miles of space just to the right of the goal and banging in a pass from Marner that split LaCombe and Alex Killorn.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
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On Wednesday evening, Associated Press journalists saw residents in numerous neighborhoods banging pots and pans and setting fire to trash cans to protest the blackouts.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 May 2026
Verb
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JWords takes a different tack on Sound Therapy, embracing gentle synth melodies and pads that take the edge off her skittering drums and pounding basslines.—
Stephen Kearse,
Pitchfork,
11 May 2026
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Apple Bank of America said Apple remains a table-pounding buy.—
Michael Bloom,
CNBC,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Slugging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slugging. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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