socking 1 of 2

noun

as in hammering

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socking

2 of 2

verb

present participle of sock
as in slapping
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner kept socking the punching bag until he was exhausted

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 socking
Verb
Sugar puts on a big show, crashing a kid’s birthday party in Vega’s backyard, socking him in the eye for good measure. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 17 July 2026 For some Americans, yes A weather forecast issued on Monday by the NWS shows heavy snow socking the Northern Plains, Upper Midwest and Great Lakes region this week ahead of Thanksgiving, with some storms poised to strike on the holiday. — Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for socking
  1. hammering
  2. slapping
  3. whipping
  4. smacking
  5. smashing
  6. hitting
  7. thrashing
  8. knocking
Noun
  • The Middle East faces chaotic power shifts as Iran, despite taking a hammering, refuses to back down, though its regional influence is expected to wane.
    — Melik Kaylan, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
  • The improvement continued with a 3-0 hammering of Austria in the round of 32, including a double from centre-forward Oyarzabal and right-back Pedro Porro finishing off a neat team move.
    — Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Definition of hammering
Verb
  • Brussels, however, was less charitable with EU regulators slapping a fine of 890 million euros ($1 billion) on Google, its first penalty under the Digital Markets Act, for favoring its own services.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 24 July 2026
  • Twenty wrestlers are committed to slipping on their mawashi loincloths (don’t call it a diaper), stomping to signal their readiness (that’s a shiko) and doing some belly-slapping grappling.
    — Cassidy Alexander, AJC.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of slapping
Noun
  • Self-mortifying pamagdarame rituals, including whipping and crucifixion, likewise have roots in medieval Christian tradition.
    — H.M.A. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 10 July 2026
  • They could also be seen transporting French fries, thick-cut onion rings, red and orange peppers, romaine and other produce, eggs, heavy whipping cream and whole milk.
    — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026
Definition of whipping
Verb
  • Heavy raindrops flew sideways, smacking against the hood of my rain jacket and creating a nearly deafening white noise.
    — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2026
  • With a Triple-A pitcher called up for a spot start and a utilityman smacking an early two-run homer, the Boston Red Sox, having now won eight straight games, keep winning with an unlikely formula.
    — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 12 July 2026
Definition of smacking
Noun
  • In a little corner of my mind, however, history will always mean the tragic smashing of individual lives by its cruel hands and the scattering of bewildered people reeling from its blows.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 July 2026
  • The 17-mile (27 km) long proton-smashing tunnel, running 300 feet (100 m) below the ground near the Swiss-French border, is at the heart of the physics research conducted by the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN).
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 29 June 2026
Definition of smashing
Verb
  • The team will take a day to settle in on Tuesday before hitting the practice field for the first of 13 sessions on Wednesday.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 July 2026
  • Jerry Kelly birdied the 72nd hole Sunday (despite hitting the ball in a greenside bunker) to account for a 2-shot margin of victory over Gogel, Darren Fichardt and Cameon Perry.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026
Definition of hitting
Noun
  • The Blågult had started so well, mind you, with a 5-1 thrashing of Tunisia.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
  • Jonathan David had a hat trick in last Thursday’s 6-0 thrashing of Qatar.
    — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 24 June 2026
Definition of thrashing
Verb
  • Snap a few photos before your guide for the day, Clint Holland, comes knocking.
    — Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • Cooper was accused of sending 20 messages and making two unanswered phone calls to his girlfriend before going to her apartment and knocking on her door, according to the arrest affidavit.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 July 2026
Definition of knocking

Browse Nearby Words

sockets
socking
socko
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Cite this Entry

“Socking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/socking. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on socking

Nglish: Translation of socking for Spanish Speakers

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