as in blow
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
gave him a sharp fillip on the noggin with her teakettle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in to stimulate
to give life, vigor, or spirit to
used a splash of orange-flavored liqueur to fillip the otherwise ordinary cranberry sauce
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 fillip
A. Wess Mitchell, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
As discussed in this previous column, that performance in Bergamo gives hope that Thiago Motta is on the right track, but the arrival of a new face to strengthen the backline may well be an even greater fillip.
—Adam Digby, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
That pace of deal news is a fillip for the investment banks.
—Kelly Evans, CNBC, 15 Jan. 2025
Hama, Syria’s fourth-largest city, might represent an even more significant fillip than the sudden capture last week of Aleppo — the country’s most populous city — in the civil war's most significant offensive in years and one that could dramatically shift the balance of the country's conflict.
—David Hodari, NBC News, 4 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for fillip
Noun
Great powers throughout history have often found that rivals can act as a productive fillip to friends.
—A. Wess Mitchell, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
As discussed in this previous column, that performance in Bergamo gives hope that Thiago Motta is on the right track, but the arrival of a new face to strengthen the backline may well be an even greater fillip.
—Adam Digby, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
That pace of deal news is a fillip for the investment banks.
—Kelly Evans, CNBC, 15 Jan. 2025
Hama, Syria’s fourth-largest city, might represent an even more significant fillip than the sudden capture last week of Aleppo — the country’s most populous city — in the civil war's most significant offensive in years and one that could dramatically shift the balance of the country's conflict.
—David Hodari, NBC News, 4 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for fillip
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fillip
Noun
-
Rodgers took four sacks and three other hits, including multiple heavy blows.—
Mike Sando,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Councilman Edwin Peacock called the incident a blow to public trust and urged both Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) and police to reassess security measures.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
For the first part of the trial, Mowery spent 10 days in the hospital while doctors created a grid of more than 100 points on his head to try to find different circuits or certain activation for pain by watching and stimulating his brain.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Drinking coffee may stimulate an increase in acid production in the stomach.—
Carrie Madormo,
Verywell Health,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Touted as the second-highest fine ever levied by the board, many observers struggled to view it as anything but the gentlest of wrist slaps.—
DAVID AMSDEN,
Rolling Stone,
29 Aug. 2025
-
His attorney said the slap happened after he had already been hit several times and claimed that, in total, Tchervinski was hit in the head 28 times during the attack.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
And the thump, thump, thumping of her brother’s hands pounding a heavy bag.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
30 Aug. 2025
-
Collins brings some thump to the four spot at no cost after next season.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Beyond clicks and swipes, leaders should anticipate a future of inner speech, intention markers, and neuro-physiological feedback.—
Jason Snyder,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
-
Wipe the squeegee off after each swipe.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
24 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
There are scenes of strange, often violent pathos that punctuate the potty humor and punch-throwing.—
Derek Robertson,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
-
During the melee, several punches were thrown.—
Felipe Cardenas,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The band’s foundation was built on the joint songwriting of Davies and Hodgson, who sang lead on most of Supertramp’s hits, but their partnership was beginning to dissolve by the early 1980s.—
David Chiu,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Jalen Ramsey’s big hit on fourth down, separating the ball from Jets star receiver Garrett Wilson to seal the game.—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The news of Lamar's killing fell on me with an aching thud.—
Trymaine Lee,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Aug. 2025
-
There is then a loud thud, followed by silence.—
Chris Spargo,
People.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fillip.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fillip. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share