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
Oklahoma of the Southeastern Conference eliminated the Jayhawks from CWS contention by slugging the Jayhawks 13-2 on Monday afternoon at Hoglund Ballpark.
—
Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026
And White Sox slugging 3B Munetaka Murakami hit the IL over the weekend with a hamstring strain.
—Levi Weaver, New York Times, 1 June 2026
The bottom portion of the UCLA lineup picked up the slack, slugging two homers among the six hits and four RBIs from the 6-9 spots.
—Josh Gross, Daily News, 31 May 2026
Slimp earned first-team all-Big Ten honors as the leadoff hitter for a Bruins team that features slugging stars Megan Grant and Jordan Woolery.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2026
The Athletics’ slugging first baseman saw his 48-game on-base streak snapped Tuesday, leaving him tied with Mark McGwire in 1996 for the longest single-season run in club history.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 27 May 2026
But, more importantly, the Dodgers had nine hits in their eight times to the plate, with rookie Santiago Espinal and recently-off-the-IL Mookie Betts slugging back-to-back home runs to lead off the bottom of the third inning.
—Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
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
Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026
And White Sox slugging 3B Munetaka Murakami hit the IL over the weekend with a hamstring strain.
—Levi Weaver, New York Times, 1 June 2026
The bottom portion of the UCLA lineup picked up the slack, slugging two homers among the six hits and four RBIs from the 6-9 spots.
—Josh Gross, Daily News, 31 May 2026
Slimp earned first-team all-Big Ten honors as the leadoff hitter for a Bruins team that features slugging stars Megan Grant and Jordan Woolery.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2026
The Athletics’ slugging first baseman saw his 48-game on-base streak snapped Tuesday, leaving him tied with Mark McGwire in 1996 for the longest single-season run in club history.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 27 May 2026
But, more importantly, the Dodgers had nine hits in their eight times to the plate, with rookie Santiago Espinal and recently-off-the-IL Mookie Betts slugging back-to-back home runs to lead off the bottom of the third inning.
—Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slugging
Verb
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Pages followed with a single and Keller loaded the bases by hitting Freddie Freeman and Max Muncy with two outs.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
12 June 2026
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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,
12 June 2026
Verb
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In extreme cases, like intentionally punching another player, a referee can go straight to a red card and eject a player from the match.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
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Former Broncos outside linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite is no longer facing misdemeanor charges for allegedly punching a Denver Police officer in 2024 at Denver International Airport, but the officer is still suing him over the incident.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
8 June 2026
Verb
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The complaint alleges Hickey was walking along a spectator pathway outside the arena fence when Party Bus suddenly jumped into the crowd and landed on top of her, knocking Hickey to the ground and crushing her right shoulder and right calf.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
11 June 2026
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After knocking England out of the 2018 World Cup, for example, Croatia’s players were keen to throw that line back in their face afterwards.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
Verb
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In the run-up to the elections, Russia upped pressure on its ally by slapping import bans on Armenian products, including fresh fruit, flowers and spirits.—
Nathan Hodge,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
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Home plate umpire Dan Iassogna called a third strike, but Madrigal argued with the umpire, emphatically slapping his head.—
Liana Handler,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
Verb
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Deputies responded to a report of a driver smacking his car into a guardrail in front of The Bridge Restaurant before driving away, according to a sheriff’s office news release.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
6 June 2026
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As the match got away from her in the second set and the Court Philippe-Chatrier crowd became increasingly hostile, Andreeva fully unraveled, smacking another ball towards the roof and asking members of her box to leave.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Verb
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The Massachusetts Republican Party is slamming both Markey and Healey for backing Platner.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
10 June 2026
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Hugh Laurie has apologized to a writer after slamming her criticisms of House on social media.—
Kathleen Perricone,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Cars pushed through the crowd, hitting at least one person as agitators continued banging, kicking and blocking government vehicles.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
6 June 2026
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The new transmission responded more quickly and reduced involuntary head banging in the car’s cabin.—
Will Sabel Courtney,
Robb Report,
28 May 2026
Verb
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When the worker said yes, there followed a cacophony of voices, radios, and pounding boots as police stormed the property.—
Heidi Blake,
New Yorker,
8 June 2026
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One of my favorite side dishes starts by rehydrating them, then pounding them in a mortar and pestle to release all that concentrated flavor.—
Julie Lin,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Slugging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slugging. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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