as in to struggle
to devote serious and sustained effort
the design team has been banging away at that project for months
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 bang away
As several drummers banged away, Vázquez danced near a table and teammates clapped along to the music, including a spirited effort from Royce Lewis.
—
Dan Hayes, The Athletic, 16 Aug. 2024
One of the roadies came out to bang away on the piano, the notes more felt than heard, part of the noise.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 29 Sep. 2024
The manager demonstrated how to use the rock hammers, and then people got to banging away, trying to find opals in the rock.
—Marla Jo Fisher, Orange County Register, 31 Jan. 2024
Norton remembers banging away on his dad’s Smith Corona typewriter in the den.
—Cynthia Billhartz Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 31 Jan. 2024
There’s John in his apartment in New York City, banging away at his piano, doing a little demo.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 2 Nov. 2023
Show business in all its forms was the family norm for Cassidy, who as a kid often wrote songs while banging away on neighbor Rosemary Clooney’s piano as her kids played basketball with their cousin George Clooney.
—Alicia Dennis, Peoplemag, 22 June 2023
The navy is out there in the channel banging away broadsides.
—Merrie Monteagudo, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2023
Dan Hayes, The Athletic, 16 Aug. 2024
One of the roadies came out to bang away on the piano, the notes more felt than heard, part of the noise.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 29 Sep. 2024
The manager demonstrated how to use the rock hammers, and then people got to banging away, trying to find opals in the rock.
—Marla Jo Fisher, Orange County Register, 31 Jan. 2024
Norton remembers banging away on his dad’s Smith Corona typewriter in the den.
—Cynthia Billhartz Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 31 Jan. 2024
There’s John in his apartment in New York City, banging away at his piano, doing a little demo.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 2 Nov. 2023
Show business in all its forms was the family norm for Cassidy, who as a kid often wrote songs while banging away on neighbor Rosemary Clooney’s piano as her kids played basketball with their cousin George Clooney.
—Alicia Dennis, Peoplemag, 22 June 2023
The navy is out there in the channel banging away broadsides.
—Merrie Monteagudo, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bang away
Verb
-
During that time, Dave was struggling with his problems.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
23 Mar. 2025
-
Of course, Maddie isn’t the only one struggling this week.—
Andy Swift,
TVLine,
23 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Other artists have spent decades laboring over their magnum opuses—Michael Heizer and James Turrell, with their sprawling land projects in the American West (City and Roden Crater, respectively), spring to mind—but few, if any, have worked only on those pieces.—
Julie Belcove,
Robb Report,
23 Mar. 2025
-
Workers are laboring in 95 degree heat, surrounded by toxic soil.—
Anna Maria Barry-Jester,
ProPublica,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
At its essence, Zion Lodge strives to provide travelers with a space to relax.—
Sophie Mendel,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Mar. 2025
-
Instead, strive to make choices that feel authentic and align with your values.—
Scott Mautz, Contributor,
CNBC,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Meghan wrote to Hirsh in her signature calligraphy, showing off the skill she's honed since working as a calligrapher while an auditioning actor.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
20 Mar. 2025
-
For this to work, run a hot shower in a small bathroom for 15-20 minutes, keeping the door shut and the fan off.—
Emily Williams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bang away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bang%20away. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share