HITS Synonyms: 266 Similar and Opposite Words

hits 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of hit

as in knocks

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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Relevance

as in bumps

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in wins

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

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hits

2 of 2

noun

plural of hit

as in successes

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

as in blows

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 hits

Verb

Listeria hits about 1,250 people in the United States annually and kills about 172, according to the CDC. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2026 His head hits the table, a pitcher drops to the floor and explodes. — George Saunders, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026 Barnett hits first 3-point attempt Luke Barnett, who has arrived at KU with a reputation as an excellent 3- point shooter, connected on his first 3-point try shortly after checking in at the 15-minute mark of the first half. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026 The process of evaluating Baylor’s decision to keep Aranda hits a new level of scrutiny starting with its home game Saturday against TCU. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Oct. 2026 This is one of the spots where the XPS Googlebook hits a sour note. — Joe Osborne, PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026 The pair began growing them, starting with a variety that hits about 150 pounds. — Cameron Pugh, Christian Science Monitor, 16 Oct. 2026 But surprise hits like Obsession, Project Hail Mary or The Invite have made this year an especially buoying one for the cinephiles among us. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026 Postdeadline mound magician Tyler Mahle hits the market, too. — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Noun

Ahead of rocking the Pond with its classic hits, the famed norteño band brought its signature sound and activism to NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert. — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 Holland, one insider with knowledge of Netflix observed to Variety, built a business of boutique hits. — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026 Chandler Simpson hit a two-run triple in the fourth inning for Tampa Bay, which was held to three hits and struck out 13 times. — Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026 Netflix has lost more than 40% of its value since June 2025 amid concerns about engagement trends and a lack of breakout hits. — Jeff Marks, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026 Of the 12 teams to reach the postseason, the Dodgers ranked 10th in OPS, a measure of both on-base percentage and slugging, while their pitchers ranked eighth in walks plus hits allowed per nine innings. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026 But these quick hits may undercut the body of work that the 30-year-old is building. — Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026 The Broncos had as many quarterback hits — 17 — in their 17-14 overtime win against the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night as Bo Nix had completions against the reigning Super Bowl champions. — ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026 The Texas native went from working odd jobs in Los Angeles to winning the inaugural season of American Idol in 2002, launching a pop career that produced hits like Since U Been Gone and Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You). — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hits

Verb

At one point, the pair crack up while lying in the same bed, and later, the Eras headliner knocks a cup off a sink, making the Fifty Shades of Grey actress break character.

— Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026
With two outs in the opening frame, Junior Caminero and Jonny DeLuca ripped consecutive RBI knocks to put Tampa Bay up 2-0.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of knocks

Verb

Did join Kylian Mbappe and Ferenc Puskas as one of only three players to score a European Cup knockout-phase brace against Barcelona at Camp Nou, which bumps him up the list a bit.

— Tim Spiers, New York Times, 26 May 2026
The department bumps the call to a higher-priority response (Priority 1) due to the potential for violence.

— Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 May 2026

Definition of bumps

Verb

The film explores the contradictions of a Bulgarian town pulled into Europe’s shifting geopolitical order, where arms production for Ukraine’s frontlines collides with enduring ties to Russia, personal convictions, and the everyday need to survive.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Still, the track eventually collides into a seasick wall of distortion that recalls lovesliescrushing’s weightless takes on shoegaze as Pitchkites sings of unmet expectations and self pity.

— Colin Joyce, Pitchfork, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of collides

Verb

With the season’s final two episodes not provided to critics, there’s no way to say yet whether The Lowdown achieves that mythical outcome of all mystery seasons, the Finale That Pulls It All Together.

— Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026
The mill achieves this hand feel through fiber selection and construction, rather than applied as a chemical treatment that wears off over time.

— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026