as in hitting
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of slugging
Murakami, 26 in February, has been the top power hitter in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball the last several years, and that includes slugging 22 home runs in 56 games around elbow surgery and an oblique strain in 2025.
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CBS News, 21 Dec. 2025
After slugging three homers with 12 RBI during the Dodgers’ World Series run last year, Hernández took Max Scherzer deep in the bottom of the second inning tonight, which gives him five home runs during this year’s playoff run.
—Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 28 Oct. 2025
After a scoreless sixth inning from both teams, the Dodgers came alive in the seventh as All-Star catcher Will Smith launched a solo home run, and slugging third baseman Max Muncy hit a solo shot of his own.
—Gabe Smallson, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
Despite slugging seven home runs so far, Monday marked their first with a runner on base.
—Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Power surge The Padres are slugging more lately.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Sep. 2025
The Diamondbacks were deadline sellers, shipping slugging corner infielders Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suárez to the Seattle Mariners.
—Daniel R. Epstein, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
After Otto Lopez grounded out to third, slugging catcher Agustin Ramirez represented the tying run with one out.
—Alex Krutchik, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
Our family had spent the day knee-deep in Disillusionment Bay, gigging beach frogs and slugging fireweed tea.
—Charna Flam, People.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slugging
Verb
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The 49ers went three and out on their next two possessions and were unsuccessful on throws outside the numbers after hitting the middle of the field with three completions on the scoring drive.—
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After hitting just 4 of 30 threes against the Pacers, Miami opened 4 for 4 from distance, shot 8 for 16 on threes in the first half and finished 17 for 32.—
Verb
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The University of Miami defeated Ole Miss, 31-27, in a Fiesta Bowl semifinal thriller, punching its ticket to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.—
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That footage showed Jones elbowing, stomping and punching the boy, and prompted the police investigation.—
Verb
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The right words can open doors the heart’s been knocking on for a while.—
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Once the buzz starts, fringe brands come knocking.—
Verb
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Mimicking what happened seven years earlier after the Dallas playoff win in Charlotte, the players ran back outside and took a lap around the stadium, slapping hands with delirious home fans.—
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That means not just the sound of rubber slapping the pavement or the whir of electric motors—the soundtrack of a Formula E race—but something new and artificial or, more generously, bespoke.—
Verb
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And the good vibes of those wins quickly dissolved with Toronto smacking them around in the fourth quarter of a blowout loss.—
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Malika was now smacking the rug in rhythm.—
Verb
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Bystander video footage that has since gone viral captured a masked federal agent fire multiple shots into Good's vehicle, which then drove up the street before slamming into the back of another car.—
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Convenience store owners are slamming the proposal as restrictive and unnecessary.—
Verb
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One woman carried a flag for Palestine, while a man banging a cowbell hung a flag of communist Cuba on his backpack.—
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Gamers have turned to walkthroughs and hints for years, but usually after banging their own heads against difficult challenges, and hence learning something in the process.—
Verb
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Russia has been pounding Ukraine’s energy infrastructure with drones and missiles in recent weeks, a tactic used in previous winters.—
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But those massive events aren’t the only way for fans to experience the heart-pounding thrills and sense of community that only live sports can deliver.—
Cite this Entry
“Slugging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slugging. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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