HOOKS Synonyms: 293 Similar and Opposite Words

hooks 1 of 2

noun

plural of hook

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

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hooks

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of hook

as in bends

to cause to turn away from a straight line the pitcher hooked the ball, and the batter missed

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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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

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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

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as in curves

to turn away from a straight line or course hang the bird feeder on a branch that hooks upward

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

straightens

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

Noun

Dow stood with three tattooed and shirtless jumpers, weaving white paracord through hooks in the canvas and cinching it tight. — M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 The sense of doom freed them to push hard into a rich new pop direction, filling Sound of Lies with songs that were deeply felt and sometimes dark amid the muscular pop hooks. — Steve Appleford, SPIN, 31 Aug. 2026 Remove Bits and Bobs Be sure to remove pins or buckles from clothing items before placing them in the washer—zip the zippers on your clothing, close snaps and hooks, and secure Velcro to prevent snags and abrasion. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 30 Aug. 2026 Swallow Wings timed the release for the awards-season peak and turned collectible artwork into one of the campaign’s central hooks. — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026 But don’t let the relatable career-girl pluck of the movie dilute the fact that this song is pissed off about capitalism, even as its hooks make the grind of working life more bearable. — Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026 Lots of seemingly brave souls have submitted once activists got their hooks in them. — Matt Calkins Outkick, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026 That’s because hooks can cause towels to hunch or sit in a position that can trap moisture rather than air it out. — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 21 Aug. 2026 Why the organization aisle is easy to miss Small bins, drawer organizers, baskets, hooks and labels often sit in a section many shoppers walk past without a second look. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 20 Aug. 2026

Verb

Right before guests arrive, attach fishing line to the wire cage and hang the fall flower arrangement using cup hooks indoors or on nearby branches outside. — Maria Sabella, Architectural Digest, 20 Aug. 2026 Blatt hooks in a forehand for another match point opportunity, but Campbell wins an amazing rally for 22-22. — Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Earbuds Deal The Soundcore C50i open-ear earbuds feature a clip-on FlexiClip design that hooks securely over your ear without blocking your ear canal. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 7 Aug. 2026 The news hooks her further into wanting something out of a vulnerable situation. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 23 July 2026 Ceiling hooks for fishing rods, cargo door for two bikes, spray hose for cleaning gear and heated locker for drying it. — Kris Millgate, USA Today, 1 July 2026 How Many Calories Rucking Burns The calorie math is what hooks many newcomers, particularly men in their 40s trying to recapture lost ground. — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2026 Armour hooks my arm, and the panic abates. — Adam Erace, Fortune, 24 May 2026 Marketing experts say while more and more cash is flowing into the clip-ification of all things, those watching the content can view clips as cheap and disposable moments, not something that hooks someone on a show or internet personality. — Bobby Allyn, NPR, 12 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hooks

Noun

His legacy will be most remembered for two painful gut punches to Bruins tradition.

— Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Mayer had some early success with her jab, but Cameron increasingly took control as the fight progressed and landed the cleaner punches before hurting Mayer with a right hand in the eighth round.

— Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of punches

Verb

By looking at how dark matter’s gravity bends the light of galaxies, Roman will be able to measure this clumping.

— Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
To study dark energy, Roman will measure how gravity bends light across large cosmic distances — creating a 3D map of dark matter in the process.

— Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of bends

Verb

The property celebrates nature, with biophilic design that effortlessly connects guests with the sand, sea, and sky outside; fittingly, the signature experiences at Patina Maldives are rooted in communion with nature as well.

— Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2026
The new solution connects with existing legal software such as iManage, NetDocuments, Docusign, and many others.

— Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of connects

Verb

Jealousy and entitlement steer the actions of middling white writer June Hayward, who brazenly steals the manuscript of her much more talented friend, Chinese-American author, Athena Liu, after being the sole witness to Athena’s death.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026
And, if the wins keep piling up, San Dimas might need to put a fence around his classroom so no one steals him away.

— Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of steals

Verb

The aircraft, a C-17, is taller than any commercial vessel; ten feet above her head, the ceiling curves like a spaceship.

— ABC News, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026
But plenty of long-range computer models continue to show a future for the system, most as a tropical storm headed west toward the Caribbean, although plenty also show a potential track that curves north of Puerto Rico.

— Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of curves

Noun

The impact of yesterday’s sharp drop in South Korean equities transmitted further into US markets overnight, spreading selling sentiment and dealing heavy blows to US semiconductor and memory stocks.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Guevera also reportedly came to blows with Eddie Kingston in 2022, leading to Kingston’s suspension.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026