1
a
: having a sudden, forceful, or attention-grabbing effect : punchy
bang-bang headlines
b
: executed or happening so quickly as to make judgment (as by an umpire or referee) difficult
a bang-bang play at first base
2
: characterized by violent or fast-paced action
a bang-bang movie

Examples of bang-bang in a Sentence

the film lacks compelling characters, but it has plenty of bang-bang action
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
First-base umpire Jordan Baker originally ruled Riley out on the bang-bang play, but the Braves challenged, and the call was overturned. Katie Woo, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025 Evan Phillips then finished off that inning, before Tanner Scott got his eighth save of the season in the ninth — the game ending when Rangers baserunner Wyatt Langford was tagged out by second baseman Miguel Rojas after popping off the bag on a bang-bang play while trying to steal a base. Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2025 Robert Thomas had a couple of quick, bang-bang slot chances in the first period that Lankinen robbed him on. Harman Dayal, The Athletic, 21 Mar. 2025 Despite the bang-bang nature of the play, To’oTo’o was called for unnecessary roughness. Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 19 Jan. 2025 Marquette got the ball back and hit another 3 to take a lead before DePaul forced overtime on a bang-bang goaltending call. Lindsay Schnell, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025 Robert Thomas had a couple of quick, bang-bang slot chances in the first period that Lankinen robbed him on. Harman Dayal, The Athletic, 21 Mar. 2025 Despite the bang-bang nature of the play, To’oTo’o was called for unnecessary roughness. Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 19 Jan. 2025 Marquette got the ball back and hit another 3 to take a lead before DePaul forced overtime on a bang-bang goaltending call. Lindsay Schnell, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of bang-bang was in 1911

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bang-bang.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bang-bang. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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