1
as in knocking
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
a good carpenter hits a nail just two or three times to drive it in
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in bumping
to come into usually forceful contact with something
when she fell on the ice, she hit hard and badly bruised her elbow
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in achieving
to obtain (as a goal) through effort
the rock band hit "the big time" with their third album
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hitting
Gerhardt Konig hoped Thursday to persuade a Hawaiian jury that hitting his wife repeatedly with a rock was self-defense.
—
April 2, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
The film also was shown at a number of other festivals before hitting the awards circuit as the Palestinian entry for this year’s Academy Awards.
—Zach Dennis, Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr. 2026
Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.
—Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 2 Apr. 2026
After hitting a record high of $124,000 in October, Bitcoin has fallen to roughly $66,000—a drop of about 47%—rattling portfolios and testing conviction among even its most enthusiastic backers.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026
She’s worked in the past year with hitting instructor Mike Trimarco out of Elite Sports Performance in Oswego.
—Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
But nothing compares to the first-hand experience of hitting the dance floor, or finding new friends in the smoking area.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2026
Rest of starters Tristan da Silva opened by hitting his first 3-pointer and made all four of his first-half free throws to reach 11 points by the break.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
Or will the promise of new promotions, new visiting teams and an exciting power-hitting squad in green and gold keep things crisp as the infield grass on a spring morning?
—Michael McGough, Sacbee.com, 26 Mar. 2026
April 2, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
The film also was shown at a number of other festivals before hitting the awards circuit as the Palestinian entry for this year’s Academy Awards.
—Zach Dennis, Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr. 2026
Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.
—Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 2 Apr. 2026
After hitting a record high of $124,000 in October, Bitcoin has fallen to roughly $66,000—a drop of about 47%—rattling portfolios and testing conviction among even its most enthusiastic backers.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026
She’s worked in the past year with hitting instructor Mike Trimarco out of Elite Sports Performance in Oswego.
—Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
But nothing compares to the first-hand experience of hitting the dance floor, or finding new friends in the smoking area.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2026
Rest of starters Tristan da Silva opened by hitting his first 3-pointer and made all four of his first-half free throws to reach 11 points by the break.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
Or will the promise of new promotions, new visiting teams and an exciting power-hitting squad in green and gold keep things crisp as the infield grass on a spring morning?
—Michael McGough, Sacbee.com, 26 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hitting
Verb
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Those of us not actually knocking hung back in the stairwell; even so, some residents were hesitant to engage.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
2 Apr. 2026
-
In the fall, residents learn about the process through public service announcements, local media, door-knocking outreach or word of mouth.—
Celina Su,
The Conversation,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Then Buttered Popcorn dethroned it in 1998, bumping the cherry classic from its perch.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
1 Apr. 2026
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The coaching staff and team members all jumped around on the sideline in celebration, with players chest bumping Mullins, and coach Dan Hurley had an interaction with a referee that went viral and brought backlash.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Super Mario Galaxy is achieving a number other milestones, including delivering the year’s biggest three-day opening of the year so far, a record held briefly by sleeper hit Project Hail Mary.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Apr. 2026
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Because convection heat is more intense, lowering the temperature to 375°F instead of 400°F may help prevent over-browning while still achieving crisp skins and tender centers.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In Los Angeles, Jonathon Redondo-Rosales was charged with assault for smacking an agent with a hat after a car struck him.—
Oriana van Praag,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
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But a leadoff walk in the top of the 9th allowed Eugenio Suárez to knock in what would prove to be the winning run, smacking a double to left center field and scoring pinch runner Javier Sonoja.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The wing struck the roof of a home before slamming into an exterior wall of a second home next door.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
1 Apr. 2026
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The pair have been in physical altercations in the past, including Manning's 2012 arrest for allegedly punching, scratching, kicking and choking Hartman – whom media outlets have referred to as Manning's former make-up artist and assistant – and slamming her head against the floor and wall.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Keller stymies defending champ Coppell Claire Garritson scored the game-winning goal in the second half and Keller hung on to beat defending state champion Coppell 2-1 in the Class 6A Division 1 Region 1 Final on Tuesday night at Keller High School.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
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The Grammy-winning musician made her Broadway debut as Zidler in the classic musical on March 24.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Airlines across the region, like Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific are slapping hefty fuel surcharges on flights; Vietnam and the Philippines are even weighing whether to ground planes.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
29 Mar. 2026
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But every so often there comes a day that is so different—so unusual—so spectacular that its happening can only be chalked up to old-fashioned, knee-slapping good luck.—
Letters to the Editor,
Hartford Courant,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Once stationary, turn off all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights are not illuminated, reducing the risk of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Mar. 2026
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Dash cam video showed the bus initially colliding with the dump truck.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hitting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hitting. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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