as in punches
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
one well aimed slug on the head knocked him out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in snails
a lazy person
he's always a slug in the morning, which is why he prefers to sleep late
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in hits
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
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 slugs
Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Apr. 2026
Some suggest sprinkling it on the soil around your plants to keep slugs away, but baking soda has the potential of seeping into the soil and damaging roots.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2026
Using cold, strong coffee in a spray is also a method used by some gardeners to deter slugs.
—Peg Aloi, The Spruce, 25 Apr. 2026
Watch your step for banana slugs.
—Daniel Bromfield, The Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2025
Gastropods are a class of mollusks that include snails, slugs and whelks.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 3 Jan. 2025
Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 6 Mar. 2026
Padilla and Hernandez toss out different accents – German (in which Storrie slugs a beer), Cajun, French, Shrek, Na’vi — even Shakespeare.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 25 Feb. 2026
Machado slugs 169 points higher in wins.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
Interplanting marigolds with celery helps repel slugs, snails, and thrips, thereby maintaining crisp celery stalks.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Apr. 2026
Some suggest sprinkling it on the soil around your plants to keep slugs away, but baking soda has the potential of seeping into the soil and damaging roots.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2026
Using cold, strong coffee in a spray is also a method used by some gardeners to deter slugs.
—Peg Aloi, The Spruce, 25 Apr. 2026
Watch your step for banana slugs.
—Daniel Bromfield, The Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2025
Gastropods are a class of mollusks that include snails, slugs and whelks.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 3 Jan. 2025
Verb
The Texas first baseman slugs her team-high 12th homer of the year over the left-field fence as the Longhorns regain the lead.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 6 Mar. 2026
Padilla and Hernandez toss out different accents – German (in which Storrie slugs a beer), Cajun, French, Shrek, Na’vi — even Shakespeare.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 25 Feb. 2026
Machado slugs 169 points higher in wins.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slugs
Verb
-
Gagen, who hits left-handed, started the season setting but moved to full-time hitting.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2026
-
Jackson’s hits compilation Number Ones is at Number 13, the Michael soundtrack is at Number 37, and The Essential Michael Jackson is at Number 158.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
David then rushes forward and punches Niemi in the back of the head at least twice, according to the video.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
Malcolm Arnold’s 2,000-square-foot business, Apple Core Electronics, on Flushing Avenue in Bushwick makes exterior intercom panels, sets their wiring, punches buttons and engraves addresses.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That game enabled the younger brother to mentally shift from a pitcher prone to walks to a pitcher who now consistently pounds the zone.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
4 May 2026
-
Irons pounds the drums like Bam-Bam smashing on two garbage-can lids.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Temperatures will be near 81 degrees on Monday, and then turn cooler on Tuesday through Thursday after a cold front knocks them back into the mid- to upper 60s.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
1 May 2026
-
The sweetness of the cherry tomatoes knocks the flavor profile out of the park.—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Joe Rodon clips a pass over the top of the Brentford defence for Calvert-Lewin to contest.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The holder clips right to your pack or waders and keeps everything in a neat, easy-to-dispense stack.—
Francesca Krempa,
Outside,
23 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Anderson slaps his hit down the right field line, just fair.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2026
-
At the end of the night, during the bows, Butler slaps the guys playing her two antagonists gently on their butts, a gesture that would have jarred in most stagings but fully in keeping with the inclusive, humanistic vibe of this production.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The boy smacks him in the mouth and then immediately starts crying.—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Apr. 2026
-
An attack rears its ugly head, and the security team smacks it down.—
Neil J. Rubenking,
PC Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Teal'c takes out some frustrations on an unlucky grunt who bangs him with a door at the start of every time loop, and O'Neill gets to (temporarily) sample the will-they side of his will-they-won't-they relationship with Carter.—
Daryl Baxter,
Space.com,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Another bangs his head against the wall after expressing suicidal thoughts.—
Morgan Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Slugs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slugs. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
