slug 1 of 3

noun (1)

Definition of slugnext
as in punch
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument one well aimed slug on the head knocked him out

Synonyms & Similar Words

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slug

2 of 3

noun (2)

ˈsləg How to pronounce slug (audio)
1
as in snail
a lazy person he's always a slug in the morning, which is why he prefers to sleep late

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sip
the portion of a serving of a beverage that is swallowed at one time knocked back another slug of whiskey

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slug

3 of 3

verb

as in to punch
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner she got so angry that she slugged the back of the chair and knocked it over

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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 slug
Noun
Families can learn about slugs, spiders, vultures and more during Creepy Critters Month at the Knoch Knolls Nature Center, 320 Knoch Knolls Road, a park district news release said. — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026 On a late November afternoon in 1991, Sam Aiuppa climbed into a stand and dropped a slug into his Remington 870. — Scott Einsmann, Outdoor Life, 10 Sep. 2026
Verb
In that span, the lefty has slugged 44 extra-base hits, including 24 home runs, while recording 17 steals in that 63-game stretch. — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026 Rafael Devers entered Sunday afternoon as the hottest hitter in baseball, having slugged six home runs in his past half-dozen games. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for slug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slug
  1. punch
  2. snail
  3. sip
  4. hit
  5. blow
  6. drone
  7. gulp
  8. slap
Noun
  • As the officer attempted to handcuff Bowman, the video shows Bowman move his hand toward the officer's hands before the punches.
    — Shelley Bortz, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Pocket-sized Hong Kong packs more of a punch than its 430-square-mile size might suggest.
    — Lee Cobaj, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of punch
Noun
  • Now, researchers studying Japanese land snails have identified a gene that helps determine whether their shells coil clockwise or counterclockwise, offering new clues into how animals develop their left and right sides.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
  • These under-eye saviors revitalize tired-looking eyes with eight firming peptides and snail mucin to deliver a deep boost of hydration.
    — Vivien Lee, InStyle, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of snail
Noun
  • The mouthpiece sits flat in the lid when not in use, then flips up for a sip.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Restrained sweetness allowed the intriguingly complex flavors to shine, ultimately luring tasters back for a second (and third, and fourth) sip.
    — Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of sip
Verb
  • Prosecutors said Wilcox was hit by gunfire, fell to the ground and fired three more gunshots at the officers.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The different program sales operations of Skydance hit the Côte d’Azur under their pre-existing Paramount and WB brands.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of hit
Noun
  • Now, in yet another blow to national self-esteem, the ex-head of Germany’s foreign intelligence agency, the BND, has been arrested on charges of exploiting state secrets.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The pro-Western opposition parties won big Saturday in the Czech Republic’s vote to fill one-third of the seats in Parliament’s upper house, the Senate, handing a blow to the ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of blow
Noun
  • But Wang has incorporated drones and AI into his family’s farm in an effort to modernize and economize the work.
    — Rafi Schwartz, TheWeek, 21 Oct. 2026
  • In other developments, Russia unleashed another missile and drone blitz on civilian areas in Ukraine, killing at least nine people, officials said, as Zelenskyy sought more American and European help.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of drone
Noun
  • Atkinson’s gift for galloping plot, as well as her typical attention to even the most tertiary character, make this a delicious gulp of a read.
    — Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Kenzo leaned back so that his bobbing Adam’s apple was visible, and drank it down in one gulp.
    — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of gulp
Verb
  • Antetokounmpo wasted no time in starting to rave about the Heat culture, a phrase that has become a lightning rod for criticism from talking heads around the NBA — especially after the franchise slapped the word across shirts and jerseys.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Less than three months after that deal was announced in January 2022, Smith became an industry pariah after slapping Chris Rock onstage at the Oscars, earning a 10-year ban from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of slap

Phrases Containing slug

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sludgy
slug
slugabed
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Cite this Entry

“Slug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slug. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on slug

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about slug

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