hit 1 of 2

verb

ˈhit How to pronounce hit (audio)
Definition of hitnext
1
as in to knock
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

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2
as in to bump
to come into usually forceful contact with something when she fell on the ice, she hit hard and badly bruised her elbow

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3
as in to achieve
to obtain (as a goal) through effort the rock band hit "the big time" with their third album

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hit

2 of 2

noun

1
as in success
a person or thing that is successful the new babysitter turned out to be a hit with the kids

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2
as in blow
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument the quarterback can't take too many more hits like that and escape permanent injury

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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 hit
Verb
Brisbane, Australia — The Australian lawmaker hit by a car in an allegedly deliberate attack has now had both legs amputated, her husband announced Wednesday. — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026 Finding her light Carrie, pictured at her Los Angeles home in 1987, ventured into writing with her semi-autobiographical debut novel, Postcards from the Edge, which hit shelves that year and became a bestseller. — Michael Gioia, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2026
Noun
Peralta allowed one run and five hits to earn his second win in the ALCS in his third appearance. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026 Many horror hits are more fascinating or engrossing than terrifying. — David Faris, TheWeek, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hit
  1. knock
  2. bump
  3. achieve
  4. success
  5. blow
  6. slap
  7. collide
  8. win
Verb
  • Nantz tried to knock the ball from Watt, but hit his wrist hard on the football and immediately grabbed his hand.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • But several people who played key roles in knocking the two candidates off the ballot have close ties to the congressman’s political operation.
    — Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of knock
Verb
  • The character always bumped some people, and those feelings coalesced around Hari Kondabolu’s 2017 documentary The Problem With Apu.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The Capricorn Moon squares the Libra Sun, making one-on-one expectations bump against your need for comfort or personal space.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of bump
Verb
  • Higher energy density could allow automakers to achieve longer driving ranges without increasing battery size or weight.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Tantalizing opportunities may be found in copper-oxide ceramics known as cuprates, but achieving them requires first understanding how the superconducting phenomenon emerges at relatively warm temperatures.
    — Sven Badoux, New Atlas, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of achieve
Noun
  • Manfred says small-market success is rare, while the union argues the Rays-Brewers World Series matchup shows baseball can work without a cap.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Mishkin owes some of the success of her label, Naomi Nomi, to a growing backlash against companies – from the luxury tier on down to mall brands and fast fashion – that have tried to pull the synthetic poly-blend wool over our eyes.
    — Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of success
Noun
  • Just when Kansas City appeared to be building momentum toward a Sunday night comeback, kicker Harrison Butker missed his second attempt of the night, dealing another blow to the Chiefs’ hopes.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Rutgers starting quarterback Dylan Lonergan left after sustaining a blow to the head 6 minutes, 25 seconds into the first quarter and didn’t return.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of blow
Verb
  • Trump has slapped tariffs on the Brazilian economy and punitive sanctions on Alexandre de Moraes, the chief justice most heavily involved in the prosecution of Jair Bolsonaro.
    — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Ortiz allegedly slapped his hands on the side of the car, prompting the driver to stop and get out.
    — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of slap
Verb
  • Drone-on-drone interception – Bumblebee V2 Instead of firing a missile or jamming a signal, the Bumblebee V2 is designed to collide directly with hostile drones.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The driver who collided with the riders fled, but police, with the assistance of witnesses, were able to track down a suspect at his home near the scene of the collision, Montclair police said.
    — James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of collide
Verb
  • But Ben-Gvir and his allies hope to win enough seats to force Netanyahu to accommodate their demands or risk losing power.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Election Day nears The stakes are high as the race Marshall was supposed to win handily is now neck-and-neck, according to recent polling.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of win

Phrases Containing hit

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histrionics
hit
hit-and-miss
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Cite this Entry

“Hit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hit. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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