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
Baking soda can help prevent powdery mildew, kill weeds, repel slugs, and clean produce, but must be used sparingly. — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 July 2026 Those attract tiny insects, which attract larger insects, which draw slugs, snails, and other wildlife. — Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 14 July 2026
Verb
Miami slugged six homers in the series, while the Mets went deep twice. — ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026 The Athletics displayed life in the bottom of the third as Alika Williams doubled and Kurtz slugged a mammoth 457-foot, two-run homer to center, his 20th of the season. — Miami Herald, 4 July 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
  • Carter, for the Giants, earlier threw a punch at Paul in 1-on-1 drills.
    — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026
  • One of the suspects used a window punch tool to crack the booth window before kicking it in, police say.
    — Frederick Sutton Sinclair, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of punch
Noun
  • An invasive species of snail has been confirmed in Carter Lake in Northern Colorado, prompting Colorado Parks and Wildlife to focus on preventing the species from spreading to other waterways in the state.
    — Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Insects belong to the kingdom Animalia, along with mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, octopuses, snails, jellyfish, worms, and many other groups.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of snail
Noun
  • Guests can paddleboard into the sunset from the nearby dock or sip cocktails by the firepits scattered around the property.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Bring your bike along for the pretty 3-mile trail between Northfield and Dundas and enjoy a sip at Keepsake Cidery.
    — Hannah Agran, Midwest Living, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of sip
Verb
  • Moehrig responded with 103 tackles — one off his 2024 total — while establishing career highs with 14 tackles for loss, three sacks and seven quarterback hits.
    — Joseph Person, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The height of hurricane season looms, and Gulf Coast refineries have in the past been derailed by major hurricanes hitting the Gulf Coast.
    — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of hit
Noun
  • Ferran Torres Torres was not the first-choice striker for Spain at the World Cup, but that did not stop him from landing the decisive blow after his team-mates had spent 106 minutes dominating Argentina without a breakthrough.
    — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
  • But the federal agency that has required companies to collect and report demographic workforce data since 1966 is now working to end that practice, a move some critics say would be a huge blow to civil rights enforcement.
    — Mirtha Donastorg, AJC.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of blow
Noun
  • At least 28 drones were shot down over the Moscow region, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said on Telegram.
    — David Brennan, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Romania said an explosive-laden naval drone believed to have been launched by Russia targeted one of its offshore natural gas projects.
    — Kosta Gak, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of drone
Noun
  • 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
  • Cradled in her arms, the newborn suckles eagerly, its tiny paws paddling the air with every gulp.
    — Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
Definition of gulp
Verb
  • European energy prices rose drastically in the wake of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, as Western governments slapped Moscow with sanctions and looked for alternative sources of oil and gas.
    — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026
  • After making the grab, Allen celebrated briefly, then slapped hands with Delane.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of slap

Phrases Containing slug

Browse Nearby Words

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 24 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on slug

Nglish: Translation of slug for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about slug

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