slam dunk

noun

Definition of slam dunknext
as in lock
one that is certain to succeed since he was trying his first case, the assistant district attorney was assigned a burglary case that was a slam dunk

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 slam dunk There are many factors that should make taking Congress back a slam dunk. — Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026 South Campus Rail Trail For those of you wanting a real hike without ever leaving the friendly confines of Oxford, this one is an absolute slam dunk. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 Sep. 2026 Typically a slam dunk, country acts weren’t as reliable of a draw as usual. — Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 8 Sep. 2026 One of the more popular myths accepted as fact is that the WNBA has bricked the breakaway slam dunk that is Caitlin Clark phenomenon. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for slam dunk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slam dunk
  1. lock
  2. sure thing
  3. certainty
Noun
  • Then, too, some bowhunters simply aren’t physically able to climb up and down a tree to a lock-on, or use a climber.
    — Colin Moore, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Ask about account PINs, number locks and additional verification.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of lock
Noun
  • Doncic, Reaves and Kessler are the sure things, but the other two spots are not certain.
    — Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
  • But while players such as Hutson — who won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year before signing his contract last fall — had already established themselves as top NHL talents, others now landing these contracts are far from sure things.
    — James Mirtle, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of sure thing
Noun
  • The Bears have asked for certainty for property taxes plus infrastructure and utility improvements.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Igshaan Adams’s The certainty of being a rose (ii), a sculpture made of beads, thread and textile, fetched £96,000 ($127,000) despite the auctioneer reminding bidders that proceeds would benefit environmental charities.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of certainty

Browse Nearby Words

slam-bang
slam dunk
slam dunks
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Slam dunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slam%20dunk. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of jilt

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All