1
as in bending
to cause to turn away from a straight line
the pitcher hooked the ball, and the batter missed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in connecting
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in stealing
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in grabbing
to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly
I hooked the biggest fish of the day, and then released it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in curving
to turn away from a straight line or course
hang the bird feeder on a branch that hooks upward
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 hooking
Also mentioned is an auto-hitch system to simplify hooking it up to the tow vehicle.
—
New Atlas, 5 Jan. 2026
The great Amazon in its north drains large areas as does the Parana-River Plate watershed to its south that reaches the Atlantic in the estuary between Argentina and Uruguay, The San Francisco flows north for hundreds of miles before hooking a right and dropping to the Atlantic.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 4 Jan. 2026
The Golden Knights got their first power play 5 seconds after their penalty expired as New Jersey's Nico Hischier was whistled for hooking.
—CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025
The third came four seconds after the Bruins killed an Eyssimont hooking penalty.
—Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
Hahn and Jeff Glaid, the WGFD biologist who conducted the study, told a room full of anglers in 2024 that if regulations didn’t change, and hooking injuries to fish — like bottom jaws torn off and severe scarring — continued, the department would have to start restocking in earnest.
—Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 30 Oct. 2025
The rescuer takes two trips, hooking each passenger up to a line, then hoisting them from the beach, the video shows.
—Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2025
By then Carolina had extended its advantage to two thanks again to Jarvis, who capitalized on the visitors’ third power play – hooking by Jackson LaCombe – with a one-time wrist shot from the right circle for his sixth goal of the season.
—Josh Gross, Oc Register, 17 Oct. 2025
With deals on Apple AirPods, Vera Bradley bags, Neutrogena makeup wipes, and Dreo portable space heaters, Amazon is hooking you up for the fall, winter, and beyond.
—Shalwah Evans, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hooking
Verb
-
The announcement could be the first sign that the new government is open to returning some freedom of expression to the country, and bending to pressure from opposition groups and the American government.—
-
Pull your breastbone toward the bar by bending your elbows.—
Verb
-
The neighborhood/area The hotel has a plum position on the Eendrachtsplein, a buzzy town square in the heart of the city with trams, buses, and a metro line connecting it to all corners of town.—
-
The film stars Sally Field as a widow who bonds with a giant Pacific octopus, while also connecting with a young man (Lewis Pullman) in need of direction.—
Verb
-
Bregman played his first nine seasons with the Houston Astros, winning World Series titles in 2017 and 2022 — although the first of those yielded a sign-stealing scandal that earned Bregman and his teammates plenty of scorn.—
-
Jacob Elordi is known for stealing hearts on and off-screen.—
Verb
-
Take after the actress by grabbing them in black, or choose from six additional colors, including burgundy and deep brown.—
-
Healthy cooking often boils down to accessibility and convenience; busy lives can leave people grabbing less nutritious alternatives.—
Verb
-
At first glance, the choker reprises the incisions and delicately curving edges meant to evoke Chanel’s distinctive quilting, with a sliding clasp closure to adjust it closely to the neck.—
-
Later came scores on a free kick and curving corner kick to help account for a 4-0 halftime lead.—
Verb
-
Keep your core tight and avoid arching your back.—
-
Shiny and dark evergreen foliage is held aloft on strong, arching stems mottled with purple flecks.—
Verb
-
The company is also debuting A&K × Crystal Cultural Voyages, integrating Abercrombie & Kent tours with Crystal Cruises’ luxury ships, beginning with a Mediterranean sailing in August 2026.—
-
Alongside the 5 digital upgrades discussed above, modern plant and factory operators should consider the enhancement and optimization of wider smart technologies to help improve core operations, particularly with regard to integrating existing physical hardware into new software.—
Verb
-
Wilson was arrested in February for allegedly swiping a subway rider through a turnstile and received cash in exchange.—
-
How one person feels about spending cash versus swiping their card is really about exposure, Bryan-Podvin says.—
Cite this Entry
“Hooking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hooking. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share