slug 1 of 3

noun (1)

Definition of slugnext
as in punch
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument one well aimed slug on the head knocked him out

Synonyms & Similar Words

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slug

2 of 3

noun (2)

ˈsləg How to pronounce slug (audio)
1
as in snail
a lazy person he's always a slug in the morning, which is why he prefers to sleep late

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sip
the portion of a serving of a beverage that is swallowed at one time knocked back another slug of whiskey

Synonyms & Similar Words

slug

3 of 3

verb

as in to punch
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner she got so angry that she slugged the back of the chair and knocked it over

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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 slug
Noun
Baking soda can help prevent powdery mildew, kill weeds, repel slugs, and clean produce, but must be used sparingly. — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 July 2026 Those attract tiny insects, which attract larger insects, which draw slugs, snails, and other wildlife. — Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 14 July 2026
Verb
At Daytona International Speedway more than 70,000 persons whooped, hollered and slugged down beer watching Cale Yarborough win the Firecracker 400 automobile race. — Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 July 2026 Consider using an organic, commercial product made with any of these plants, or grow these herbs around the perimeter of your garden or next to crops and flowers that slugs frequently feed. — Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for slug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slug
  1. punch
  2. snail
  3. sip
  4. hit
  5. blow
  6. drone
  7. gulp
  8. slap
Noun
  • There are also plenty of games and activities for sale in the hotel store, including watercolor kits, colorful punch balloons, activity books, knitting kits, pick-up sticks, puzzles, toys, and more.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2026
  • Citrus Although a wonderful addition to any dish that needs a punch of acid, oranges, limes, lemons, grapefruits and other citruses are detrimental to cats' health.
    — Pat Mueller, USA Today, 28 July 2026
Definition of punch
Noun
  • Several studies have found that snail mucus secretions can kill bacteria and prevent skin infections from worsening, especially when applied to wounds.
    — Laura Dorwart, Health, 22 July 2026
  • But SpongeBob is just as unambiguously heroic as Damon’s Odysseus is (even if our favorite burger-flipping tamer of snails requires a gift from a certain daughter of a goddess to find his courage).
    — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 21 July 2026
Definition of snail
Noun
  • Courtesy of Elevation Tea A tea can feel silky, creamy, crisp or full-bodied, with notes that evolve after the swallow, and the finish matters as much as the opening sip, according to Martinez.
    — Jill Barth, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • This lager is brewed with real strawberries and rhubarb and celebrates a classic Minnesota flavor in every sip!
    — Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 21 July 2026
Definition of sip
Verb
  • As thousands of professors at in the University of California system say the students entering their classrooms are increasingly under-prepared for university-level math, the university’s timely graduation rates just hit all-time highs.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2026
  • Average daily rates in Miami hit $302 for both game nights and eves, according to AirDNA.
    — Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026
Definition of hit
Noun
  • San Francisco has already seen right-hander Hayden Birdsong undergo Tommy John surgery earlier this year, and losing McDonald for an extended period of time would be another brutal blow for the pitching staff.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 25 July 2026
  • Under Ozel’s leadership, the CHP had delivered a significant blow to Erdogan’s party in the 2024 municipal elections.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 July 2026
Definition of blow
Noun
  • Wildberries also reported that its warehouse in Sarapul in the region of Udmurtia was struck by a Ukrainian drone and set ablaze.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026
  • In most instances, the handbook largely accepts the notion that rogue drones will appear and focuses on how to cope with them afterwards by negating their effects.
    — Zita Ballinger Fletcher, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of drone
Noun
  • Cradled in her arms, the newborn suckles eagerly, its tiny paws paddling the air with every gulp.
    — Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
  • Given the construction of the bracket, any African team that has its eye on a quarterfinals bid will likely have to push through the likes of Argentina (gulp) or England (woof), France (le woof) or Spain (yipes).
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of gulp
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
  • Since the fire, Southern California’s Air Quality Management District has slapped Lineage with multiple violations tied to the warehouse.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026
Definition of slap

Phrases Containing slug

Browse Nearby Words

sludgy
slug
slugabed
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Cite this Entry

“Slug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slug. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on slug

Nglish: Translation of slug for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about slug

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