as in punches
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
delivered a hard right hook that struck his opponent in the eye
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in bends
to cause to turn away from a straight line
the pitcher hooked the ball, and the batter missed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in connects
to put or bring together so as to form a new and longer whole
hooked up three short chains together to make a longer necklace
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in steals
to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep
the monkey hooked four bananas from the basket and scampered away to enjoy them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in grabs
to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly
I hooked the biggest fish of the day, and then released it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in curves
to turn away from a straight line or course
hang the bird feeder on a branch that hooks upward
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 hooks
Sandy Ong, JSTOR Daily, 11 Sep. 2025
The bloody corridors are filled with screeching buzzsaws, slashing knives and earlier victims hanging on meat hooks.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
There are built in hooks at the top for purses or belts and multi-sized metal frames that can hold scarves or even tank tops.
—Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2025
There have been many previous perching drone designs, but these typically have hooks or grasping claws to hold on to branches or powerlines, or use magnets or gecko-like feet to attach to vertical surfaces.
—David Hambling, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
The backs of the front seats have handy hooks for purses, jackets, etc.
—Mark Phelan, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2025
With TikTok-ready hooks and a knack for personalized lyrics that ride the rollercoaster of youthful romance, the 22-year-old Canadian singer-songwriter-dancer has planted herself into the thick of the pop conversation.
—Brian McCollum, Freep.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Breakthroughs and life lessons can be as resonant as anthemic hooks and slogans.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2025
Around 250 million of us around the world will by now have heard the ridiculously catchy hooks of KPop Demon Hunters, which has taken the world by storm.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2025
Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
To develop it, the research team incorporated mushroom heads or hooks directly into the building components.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2025
With Militarie Gun, though, Shelton stretched the concept of what hardcore can be, weaving in melody and riffy hooks more befitting stadium rock.
—Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2025
After the rescuer hooks the hikers to the line, the helicopter crew hoists all three from the area.
—Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Noun
But the orange-yellow stains on the lab coats slung on hooks hint at a less-usual subject matter under study.
—Sandy Ong, JSTOR Daily, 11 Sep. 2025
The bloody corridors are filled with screeching buzzsaws, slashing knives and earlier victims hanging on meat hooks.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
There are built in hooks at the top for purses or belts and multi-sized metal frames that can hold scarves or even tank tops.
—Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2025
There have been many previous perching drone designs, but these typically have hooks or grasping claws to hold on to branches or powerlines, or use magnets or gecko-like feet to attach to vertical surfaces.
—David Hambling, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
The backs of the front seats have handy hooks for purses, jackets, etc.
—Mark Phelan, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2025
With TikTok-ready hooks and a knack for personalized lyrics that ride the rollercoaster of youthful romance, the 22-year-old Canadian singer-songwriter-dancer has planted herself into the thick of the pop conversation.
—Brian McCollum, Freep.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Breakthroughs and life lessons can be as resonant as anthemic hooks and slogans.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2025
Around 250 million of us around the world will by now have heard the ridiculously catchy hooks of KPop Demon Hunters, which has taken the world by storm.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2025
Verb
Create subheadlines that make one clear promise Your subheadline does the heavy lifting after your headline hooks them.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
To develop it, the research team incorporated mushroom heads or hooks directly into the building components.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2025
With Militarie Gun, though, Shelton stretched the concept of what hardcore can be, weaving in melody and riffy hooks more befitting stadium rock.
—Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2025
After the rescuer hooks the hikers to the line, the helicopter crew hoists all three from the area.
—Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hooks
Noun
-
Ali was scoring plenty with jabs and flurries, but his attempts to land big punches mostly fell flat.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
16 Sep. 2025
-
But as any fan of either show will tell you, both are adept at delivering emotional gut-punches that have been known to leave viewers in tears.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This happens because the material’s own magnetization (usually from electron spin) bends the motion of electrons.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Sep. 2025
-
But Sex and the City bends to no rules!—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Set in the country's highlands, La Ruta de Las Flores is a scenic drive that connects several villages, and bursts to life when the coffee fields lining it come into full bloom.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Its dual reputation for internal and external benefits connects it to a broader lifestyle shift where the line between wellness and beauty is no longer sharp.—
Footwear News,
Footwear News,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Taylor Kitsch is fantastic, but Tom Hopper steals the show.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Still, as Huntrix finally steals the show, the movie shows the singers and the audience as equals.—
Yvonne Kim,
The Atlantic,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But the feeling when a film grabs hold remains the same—by a story, a character, a voice—that, never goes out of season.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The lilting Calle Malaga, Morocco’s official entry for the International Feature Film Oscar, is a joy largely because of its veteran star who envelops the screen and grabs a role of a career.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The mortality curves from Gompertz models associated with the three migratory strategies are presented on panel A–C—the death rates m(x) (gray dots) are also presented.—
GrrlScientist,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
-
As the road curves around, the Inland Sea comes into view, its small pool feeding into the ocean through a massive slit in the cliff.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The blows come from front, back, and the demonstrator doesn’t seem to hold back even.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Frazier, though, was relentless, seeking a way inside Ali’s reach, driving blows into Ali’s ribs but moving too fast to get caught by the night-ender Ali had planned.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Wednesday swipes Enid’s driver’s-ed consent form to sneak off to visit Tyler at Willow Hill Psychiatric Hospital.—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
6 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hooks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hooks. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share