as in to hit
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
an overhead branch suddenly fell and bonked him on the head
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bonk
That pickleball game on the driveway was pure pandemonium, and Joan almost got bonked in the face with a ball.
—
Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 20 Sep. 2024
Miss Manners cannot entirely guarantee, however, that your finger will not bonk your nose instead — particularly after the second or third old-fashioned.
—Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 2 Aug. 2024
What is the etiquette for enjoying the last sips of your drink without that giant ice cube sliding down and bonking you on the nose?
—Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 2 Aug. 2024
All the other couples will be extremely excited to hear that these two are bonking.
—Alexandra Koster, refinery29.com, 18 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for bonk
Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 20 Sep. 2024
Miss Manners cannot entirely guarantee, however, that your finger will not bonk your nose instead — particularly after the second or third old-fashioned.
—Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 2 Aug. 2024
What is the etiquette for enjoying the last sips of your drink without that giant ice cube sliding down and bonking you on the nose?
—Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 2 Aug. 2024
All the other couples will be extremely excited to hear that these two are bonking.
—Alexandra Koster, refinery29.com, 18 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for bonk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bonk
Verb
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In the video, O'Leary wailed after the metal object hit him in the chest.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA TODAY,
19 Feb. 2025
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Solo Ball, the only UConn player to make a 3-pointer until McNeeley hit one with five minutes to go, finished with 13 points and a team-best six assists.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Reese smacked Clark in the head with her arm while trying to block a shot in their first WNBA meeting June 1.—
Jackson Thompson,
Fox News,
14 Feb. 2025
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The future — mechanical, intelligent, overwhelming — is today smacking us in the face.—
Colin Demarest,
Axios,
5 Feb. 2025
Verb
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On the red carpet of the American Black Film Festival Honors in Los Angeles on Feb. 17, the 75-year-old actress told PEOPLE about filming the moment in which her character, Patti, slapped her daughter Angela (Taraji P. Henson) across the face during a heated confrontation on season 2 of Eli Stone.—
Stephanie Wenger,
People.com,
18 Feb. 2025
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Just ask comedian Chris Rock, who was unceremoniously slapped by Will Smith during the 2022 Oscars after cracking a joke about the actor's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA TODAY,
16 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Someone knocked on the Malibu, drawing Jeff back out of the car.—
Elizabeth Keogh,
New York Daily News,
19 Feb. 2025
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In May 2024, CNN released hotel security footage from 2016 that showed Combs striking Cassie, knocking her to the ground, and dragging her down a hallway.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Kindt was arrested on a domestic assault charge after he was accused of banging Hagen’s head on a night stand and pushing her against several pieces of furniture.—
Mike Stunson,
Kansas City Star,
10 Feb. 2025
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Several times during our interview, one of us had to speak up to be heard over the clanging of this or banging of that.—
Eric Berger,
Ars Technica,
27 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The United States has already punched its ticket to the final.—
Richard Deitsch,
The Athletic,
17 Feb. 2025
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When the ball found the bottom of the cup at 18, Aberg clenched his fist, punched the air, hugged his caddie and smiled.—
Kirk Kenney,
Orlando Sentinel,
17 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Beyond tennis, Tom Brady and LeBron James have invested in professional teams, while Hollywood actors Catherine O’Hara and Willem Defoe were filmed whacking shots on a court in a recent Super Bowl commercial.—
George Ramsay,
CNN,
13 Feb. 2025
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If you're downed during a boss fight, teammates must revive you by whacking your crawling body.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
13 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The 78-year-old also posted side-by-side Super Bowl videos—one of himself with Ivanka Trump clapping alongside cheers inside the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans; the other was of Swift being booed by the same crowd.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
13 Feb. 2025
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The fans started clapping, and Rock began singing again.—
Rachel DeSantis,
People.com,
10 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bonk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bonk. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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