as in punch
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
dealt his opponent a haymaker that sent him reeling across the boxing ring
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of haymaker
The latest haymakers thrown come courtesy of executive interviews in The Financial Times.
—
Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 23 Jan. 2026
The Broncos must not go down without throwing haymakers.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 18 Jan. 2026
The two heavyweights exchanged haymakers before Olivier caught Reaves with right hand and sent him to the ice.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
An all-time great and a two-time MVP trading haymakers in the form of go-ahead scores in the fourth quarter of a win-and-in environment.
—Chris Bumbaca, USA Today, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for haymaker
Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 23 Jan. 2026
The Broncos must not go down without throwing haymakers.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 18 Jan. 2026
The two heavyweights exchanged haymakers before Olivier caught Reaves with right hand and sent him to the ice.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
An all-time great and a two-time MVP trading haymakers in the form of go-ahead scores in the fourth quarter of a win-and-in environment.
—Chris Bumbaca, USA Today, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for haymaker
Recent Examples of Synonyms for haymaker
Noun
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Orlando brothers Isaiah Brown and AJ Brown return after redshirting following transfers from Ohio University, while former top-40 recruits Alex Lloyd and CJ Ingram add scoring punch and athleticism to a crowded rotation.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 Apr. 2026
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The cage match turned into a group scrum when another of the Kings’ big uglies, 6-6 Samuel Helenius, threw a punch at Parker Kelly.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Arsenal’s title challenge is back on track, Liverpool have been dealt a potentially season-defining injury blow, and Fantasy Premier League managers now have just four Gameweeks left to make their mark.—
Abdul Rehman,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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The loss of Kidal represents a significant blow to Russia’s credibility in Mali, where the military junta has relied on mercenaries to combat Islamic extremism.—
Wilson Mcmakin,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Likewise, the score by Tony Doogan leans too heavily on generic electronic thuds, the kind that segue into a commercial break cliffhanger and an ad for blood pressure medicine.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
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The Charlotte Hornets’ president of basketball operations summarized the team’s plight in the 2025-26 season, which ended with a thud in Friday night’s play-in tournament loss to the Orlando Magic, and looked forward to the next task.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Hell, everyone still thinks the Will Smith-Chris Rock Oscars slap was staged.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
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Jeanine Pirro, the DC US Attorney leading the probe, has also repeatedly doubled-down on her pursuit, despite a running series of mishaps and judicial slap-downs.—
Elisabeth Buchwald,
CNN Money,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The Yankees need Wells to provide at least some thump in a bottom third of the order that hasn’t been very good.—
Brendan Kuty,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2026
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Moments later, a bass thump sounded in the distance.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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With a lifelong love of the weight room and a good core of swipes, chops and bull rushes, Young offers a physical presence on both the interior and edge.—
Matt Moret,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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Our interface makes intelligent use of swipes and gestures rather than tapping or dialing.—
David Szondy
April 25,
New Atlas,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Dean was flagged for a late hit and the result was 28 yards on the play.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Apr. 2026
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On Saturday, Weathers also walked none, struck out four and permitted six hits over 86 pitches.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Since one of the metaphorical aspects of the script concerns how swiftly conflicts can flare up from small disagreements into major knock-down-drag-out fights, showing the violence and bared-teeth snarling is appropriate, a lighter touch could work, too.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
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This isn't a knock against Palo Alto.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Haymaker.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/haymaker. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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