HOUNDS Synonyms: 339 Similar and Opposite Words

hounds 1 of 2

noun

Definition of hounds

plural of hound

as in dogs

a domestic mammal that is related to the wolves and foxes in the yard an old hound greeted us with a single bark

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as in lovers

a person with a strong and habitual liking for something a camera hound even before the baby arrived, he's now become obsessive

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as in villains

a mean, evil, or unprincipled person a no-good sneaky hound who disappeared with the lottery winnings he was supposed to share

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as in bastards

a person whose behavior is offensive to others nobody could stand that low-down hound and his penchant for mean-spirited pranks

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hounds

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of hound

as in chases

to go after or on the track of after the scandal came to light, the politician was hounded by reporters night and day

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as in nags

to subject (someone) to constant scoldings and sharp reminders kept hounding his mother to let him drive her car until she gave in

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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 hounds

Noun

The two Metcalfs [sic] and Holt understood one another thoroughly, and understood their hounds and the game their hounds followed almost as thoroughly. — Paul Schullery, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026 Honoring the long association between horses and hounds, the stunning farm-charm-esque property welcomes pups with open arms and offers terrace-level suites for convenient lodging and potty breaks. — Rebecca R. Norris, USA Today, 31 July 2026 Christina Bluhme was high on the flanks of Britain's tallest mountain with her dogs and one of the hounds was a lot higher — and not in a good way. — ABC News, 13 July 2026 The space does not have a liquor license and, for now, will function as an under-the-radar gathering spot for music and culture hounds, Brown said, as well as other programming. — John Wenzel, Denver Post, 8 July 2026 And with an absolutely blistering 360Hz refresh rate, esports hounds will thrill to the responsiveness. — George Yang, PC Magazine, 29 June 2026 Ever since her father left the fort almost a whole season ago, walking off into the darkening blue hills with both his hounds, never to return, her mother has taken to these long and aimless searches, sometimes with Brith and sometimes without. — Maggie O’Farrell, Literary Hub, 2 June 2026 On the open desert road, Racine and Anaia track the other women Man has taken up with, following their trail like hounds. — Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 1 June 2026 But this has led to autograph hounds who harass celebrities for autographs and then turn around and sell them on eBay. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 May 2026

Verb

Gen might have gotten away scot-free from the sheets incident in terms of optics — no one questions her involvement, even though her job description includes housekeeping — but karma hounds her during the first day of the charter. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 21 July 2026 Vavassori hounds the net with his teradactyl-like wingspan. — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hounds

Noun

The Perk That Actually Works For years, companies have competed to fill their offices with amenities meant to signal ambition—ping pong tables, nap rooms, office dogs, sprawling lounges.

— Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
The search continued at Coes Reservoir on Friday with marine units, helicopters, sonar and dogs, according to CNN affiliate WCVB.

— Elise Hammond, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of dogs

Noun

Art lovers and newer aficionados will appreciate learning more about the artists, the art, and how they were created.

— Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Aug. 2026
Wayfarer Tavern, which opened in 2025, has already achieved legendary status among Greater Cincinnati pizza lovers.

— USA TODAY Network, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of lovers

Noun

People who once dined together, smiled together, campaigned together and worked together to strengthen our communities are suddenly being portrayed as villains.

— Beau Simon, Sun Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2026
Patrick and Hugo McPherson play the Stabbington brothers, two twin villains.

— Tanya Fedak, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of villains

Noun

That screwed up the works / And not due to his sloppy hiring / Of a crew of incompetent jerks.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026
Something from this article might put me on some Ben Shapiro list, where a bunch of jerks literally will just call me ‘f****t’ or worse on my social media.

— William Earl, Variety, 10 June 2026

Definition of jerks

Verb

Absorptive art beckons the viewer—who chases after that which ignores it, a tale as old as time—whereas the Minimalism Fried attacked was very big, very look-at-me, very exhibitionist.

— Carlos Valladares, ARTnews.com, 14 Aug. 2026
Wolverine chases the kidnappers across the rooftops, battling sword-wielding mercenaries and archers who leave arrows embedded in his body.

— Jordan Moreau, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of chases

Noun

On a night where he’d been booed for what happened in the past — a night that ended with a 6-4 loss as Logan Webb endured his shortest start of the year — Devers provided Red Sox fans a reason to boo for what was happening in the present.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2026
For rail fans, there are overnight routes to discover on six of the world’s seven continents.

— Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of fans

Noun

These brutes commonly exceed 50 pounds.

— Keith Sutton, Outdoor Life, 18 June 2026
In Raspail’s tale, hordes of impoverished and dark-skinned brutes from India descend onto French shores by way of rafts, the first wave of an invasion of the civilized West by the brown-skinned developing world.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Apr. 2026

Definition of brutes

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hounding

hounds

hourglass

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Style

“Hounds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hounds. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of hounds

noun

verb

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