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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Despite worries over the Iran war, high inflation and pressures from the bond market, the index at the heart of many 401(k) accounts has soared 23% since hitting a trough in late March. — ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026 Because diesel powers the trucks that move goods across the country, higher oil prices hit every corner of the economy, making everything from groceries to clothing to household essentials more expensive. — Sanya Carley, Time, 7 Oct. 2026
Noun
But in eight postseason at-bats so far, Ohtani has recorded just two hits, both singles. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026 At the box office, some of this year’s biggest hits have come not from major studios but from young filmmakers who got their start on YouTube and marketed their films online. — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 6 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
  • The fans were ready to rock, but the Guardians knocked the Sox on their backs.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The 22-year-old emerged from the woods Wednesday evening after a six-day disappearance and knocked on the driver’s side window of a search-and-rescue cruiser.
    — Angie Orellana Hernandez, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of knock
Verb
  • Being bumped to a relief role required some selflessness from Seymour and Jax — both of whom began the season in the bullpen and were transitioned to the rotation.
    — Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Cooper went from the active roster to getting bumped down to the practice squad and now off the team entirely in a matter of about 10 days.
    — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of bump
Verb
  • More than 180,000 giant tortoises roaming freely on our atoll is proof of what long-term commitment to conservation can achieve.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, women used toxic lead makeup to achieve what was viewed as a beautiful pale complexion.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of achieve
Noun
  • In a defining game that many thought would expose problems masked by UCLA’s early-season success, the Bruins — though imperfect — vociferously announced their arrival to the college football world as legitimate playoff contenders.
    — Elias Esquivel, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Many executives, such as the CEOs of Starbucks and Chipotle for example, tout early-morning work routines as a key to their success.
    — Preston Fore, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of success
Noun
  • For now, better wheat and barley crops in Canada, Australia and Argentina, along with good harvests in the Middle East and North Africa, are cushioning the blow.
    — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Then, after weeks of sit-ins and marches, Dharmendra Pradhan, the education minister, stepped down, a rare blow to Modi’s government, and one that more established opposition parties had been unable to land.
    — Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of blow
Verb
  • Hochman said the nannies were caught on video spanking, slapping or hitting the children.
    — News Editor, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Residents have reported paying excessive amounts to retrieve their vehicles from tow yards, with companies sometimes slapping extra fees on drivers who contact the police, according to council members.
    — Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of slap
Verb
  • Referee Furman South briefly went down to the ice early in the third period when Vegas center Nic Dowd collided with him.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
  • One person was killed when their car collided with an Independence Police Department patrol vehicle early Sunday, according to police.
    — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of collide
Verb
  • Elephants in the Fog competed in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival this year, winning the Jury Prize.
    — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Award-winning chef Kai Mueller has created a large and unusual menu that leans into the location, with a much healthier twist (all dishes that are safe to have on the detox programme are clearly marked).
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 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 14 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on hit

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hit

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