1
as in bins
a covered rectangular container for storing or transporting things
filled a whole box with books
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in coffins
a boxlike container for holding a dead body
the only way I'm ever leaving this hospital room is in a box
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in TVs
an electronic device with a screen and speakers that reproduces images and sound
would you switch on the box so that we can watch the news?
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in pickles
a difficult, puzzling, or embarrassing situation from which there is no easy escape
with our new home still unfinished, and the buyers of our condo eager to move in, we were in a real box
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in punches
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
the vicious bully delivered a box to the child's ear
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in clips
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
his mother threatened to box his ears if he didn't show a bit more respect
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 boxes
James Ward, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Like so many episodes on this monumental season, this felt a bit like busywork, just two more boxes to check off on the way to the end.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 14 May 2026
Most have buried their concentration camp stories in attics and basements and trash cans and boxes.
—Literary Hub, 14 May 2026
Kai is also set to offer a special lunch menu featuring sandwiches from $13 to $15, rice bowls from $16 to $19 and bento boxes starting at $15, the latter of which come with miso soup, the choice of one sushi roll and the choice of two sides.
—R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
Fast food wrappers, microwave popcorn bags and pizza boxes were historically treated with PFAS grease-proofing agents.
—Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026
One roach was seen making his way behind boxes under the steam table.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 14 May 2026
Given out for free in streetside orange boxes and in stacks at cafés, The L was stylish and well-informed, highlighting locally famous names and haunts, and establishing a sense of shared community for the corridor.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 14 May 2026
Wide boxes are handy for peaches, apples, squash and the like.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2026
Julia Gomez, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Here’s how Bloodhounds Season 2 boxes its way to a brutal conclusion.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 3 Apr. 2026
Nick Phillips, with Applied Digital, said the tax exemption ban effectively boxes out data centers from building in South Dakota.
—Makenzie Huber, States Newsroom, 19 Feb. 2026
The rich Redfellows get dispatched one by one in scenes that are fun but empty — neither cathartic nor comic, simply boxes to be checked off to great big poundings of thunder and harpsichords.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Toe tap on the sideline for 17, then boxes out Greg Newsome for 14 more.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 21 Dec. 2025
This, alas, also boxes his constituents in.
—U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Nov. 2025
To mark the occasion, Crumbl is also releasing limited-edition Martha Stewart boxes for its six-pack orders — perfect for gifting or adding a touch of elegance to any gathering.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2025
This all played out just after the museum had opened, with bystanders able to video one suspect in a high-visibility vest standing at one of the glass boxes housing historical treasures.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
Daniella Segura Click the link below for the USA TODAY Network's California June primary voter guide — registration deadline, ballot drop boxes, early voting, and how to track your ballot through Election Day.
—James Ward, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Like so many episodes on this monumental season, this felt a bit like busywork, just two more boxes to check off on the way to the end.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 14 May 2026
Most have buried their concentration camp stories in attics and basements and trash cans and boxes.
—Literary Hub, 14 May 2026
Kai is also set to offer a special lunch menu featuring sandwiches from $13 to $15, rice bowls from $16 to $19 and bento boxes starting at $15, the latter of which come with miso soup, the choice of one sushi roll and the choice of two sides.
—R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
Fast food wrappers, microwave popcorn bags and pizza boxes were historically treated with PFAS grease-proofing agents.
—Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026
One roach was seen making his way behind boxes under the steam table.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 14 May 2026
Given out for free in streetside orange boxes and in stacks at cafés, The L was stylish and well-informed, highlighting locally famous names and haunts, and establishing a sense of shared community for the corridor.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 14 May 2026
Wide boxes are handy for peaches, apples, squash and the like.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2026
Verb
The cardboard boxes the food is packaged in are also being resold online, with one user selling them for $15 each.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Here’s how Bloodhounds Season 2 boxes its way to a brutal conclusion.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 3 Apr. 2026
Nick Phillips, with Applied Digital, said the tax exemption ban effectively boxes out data centers from building in South Dakota.
—Makenzie Huber, States Newsroom, 19 Feb. 2026
The rich Redfellows get dispatched one by one in scenes that are fun but empty — neither cathartic nor comic, simply boxes to be checked off to great big poundings of thunder and harpsichords.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Toe tap on the sideline for 17, then boxes out Greg Newsome for 14 more.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 21 Dec. 2025
This, alas, also boxes his constituents in.
—U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Nov. 2025
To mark the occasion, Crumbl is also releasing limited-edition Martha Stewart boxes for its six-pack orders — perfect for gifting or adding a touch of elegance to any gathering.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2025
This all played out just after the museum had opened, with bystanders able to video one suspect in a high-visibility vest standing at one of the glass boxes housing historical treasures.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 20 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boxes
Noun
-
As part of the hotel’s social-impact aims, the rattan icebox and garbage bins were crafted by Burmese artisans who work with Kalinko, a social enterprise that creates handmade, sustainable products using traditional techniques.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
-
The walls of Franca’s store were lined with unlabeled bins and drawers full of bits and bobs that looked like the world’s most disorganized hardware store.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
The remaining coffins belong to the Egypt’s Late Period (664–332 BC).—
Anne Doran,
ARTnews.com,
15 May 2026
-
Don’t miss a sighting of a rare surviving Ba-Bird here, a wooden figure placed on top of coffins to help spirits fly away.—
Rob Crossan,
Condé Nast Traveler,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
The Butcher's Grind Cheeseburger is topped with cheddar cheese and pickles, and the Italian Sausage comes loaded with onions and vinegar peppers on a hoagie roll.—
Chiara Kim,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
-
Beer drinkers have been putting pickles and pouring pickle juice into brews for a long time.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
In the lightweight division, Salahdine Parnasse (23-2) defeated Kenneth Cross (17-5) in the first round after landing a flurry of punches and dominating him early.—
Eduard Cauich,
Los Angeles Times,
17 May 2026
-
There were more hugs after the fight between the two than punches landed, and, in total, far more time clocked during those hugs than the fight itself.—
Sean Joseph OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
The device clips magnetically to the rear of any MagSafe-compatible smartphone or case.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
-
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
Noun
-
After games, many Thunder players reside by their lockers cracking jokes and catching up instead of fretting over roles and playing time.—
Mark Medina,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
As for the camper module exterior, Winnebago cages out the alcove face and lower front sides with thick tubular branch guards, wires in a set of floating front auxiliary lights, adds a swing-away full-size spare carrier in back, and secures on under-body aluminum storage lockers.—
C.C. Weiss
May 17,
New Atlas,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Branwell’s coffin was carried from the house and placed next to the other family caskets.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 May 2026
-
The Associated Press and USA Today reported that the churchgoers honored the children by wearing pink, purple and blue, visiting their white caskets with photos of each of the children — some alongside their favorite Disney characters — as well as praying and singing as a group.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
The lawsuit alleges Samsung used the image as part of a broad retail packaging campaign tied to televisions sold nationwide.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
16 May 2026
-
Guests first move through a dim corridor lined with towering stacks of CRT televisions flickering with grainy studio footage, ambient static and fragmented vocals.—
Jonathan Cohen,
SPIN,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Boxes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boxes. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
