Thesaurus results for SLUGGING

slugging

verb

present participle of slug

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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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 Tonight offers two more compelling home run bets for slugging first basemen with above-average power and favorable matchups. — Josh Shepardson, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026 The Hawks want to be competing for a playoff spot here instead of slugging through a lost season. — Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026 And if Bregman had been slugging more, especially in clutch situations, the optics might be different. — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 30 June 2026 As the White Sox were slugging their way to a 22-1 victory over the Royals on Friday night, former player Ron Kittle was getting married in a ballpark suite with Chicago chairman Jerry Reinsdorf officiating. — ABC News, 27 June 2026 Rice is slugging almost 100 points higher than Kurtz, though the A’s slugger’s ability to get on base has their OPS numbers in a comparable range. — Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 11 June 2026 There wasn’t much concern about the hard-slugging right fielder’s condition, however. — Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 10 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slugging

Verb

The 27-year-old Adell has 16 homers and 62 RBIs this season, one year after hitting a career-best 37 homers with 98 RBIs.

— David Brandt, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2026
Across Europe, other historic objects have also been revealed this summer due to the record-breaking heat and crippling droughts hitting the continent’s waterways.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of hitting

Verb

Background on the case On May 30, Shelby Police Officer Karson Hyder was captured repeatedly punching 34-year-old Cherie Moore during an arrest.

— Zaire Breedlove, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026
Salgado is accused of approaching the man, taunting him to start a fight and punching him in the face, police said.

— Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026

Definition of punching

Verb

Elarms-Orr didn’t think Kincaid was down and laid a sizable hit on the tight end, knocking him to the ground again.

— Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Wahab said she’s been hard at work on the campaign trail hosting town hall discussions, knocking door-to-door and meeting constituents in the district.

— Kyle Martin, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of knocking

Verb

Jumping into the air, doing the splits, screaming at the top of his lungs, smacking the ground.

— Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Catcher Daniel Susac followed up Wednesday’s two-home-run game by smacking a two-run shot, and the Giants bullpen didn’t break down while protecting a 4-1 victory.

— Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 31 July 2026

Definition of smacking

Verb

But according to rocket scientists at the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), slamming a nuclear warhead directly into the side of a space rock is a rookie mistake.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026
Charlotte faced off with Lash Legend, and Lash got the better of Charlotte by slamming her on a ladder.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of slamming

Verb

Williams braved pounding surf and massive waves to bring a struggling 10-year-old boy safely back to shore, as Fox News Digital reported.

— Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2026
During the rescue, which was caught on video, 16-year-old lifeguard Ryder Williams and another lifeguard pulled a 10-year-old to safety amid pounding waves.

— Tim Fang, CBS News, 31 July 2026