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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Recent Examples of bonk
Miss Manners cannot entirely guarantee, however, that your finger will not bonk your nose instead — particularly after the second or third old-fashioned.
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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
This sets off an argument between Jo and Magnus that results in Magnus getting bonked on the head and Jo absconding with Alice.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 28 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bonk 
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
This sets off an argument between Jo and Magnus that results in Magnus getting bonked on the head and Jo absconding with Alice.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 28 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bonk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bonk
Verb
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The Powerball jackpot has not been hit since Dec. 7, when a New York player won the $256 million grand prize, lottery officials said.Don Sweeney, Miami Herald, 13 Jan. 2025
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George Michael and Pop Smoke both hit No. 1 with albums titled Faith.Paul Grein, Billboard, 13 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Reality has a way of smacking you hard in the face.Daniel DePetris, Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2025
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What hits on TikTok is a legible, irresistible hook — or, in other words, the kind of content that smacks you in the face with its obviousness.Rebecca Jennings, Vox, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
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With President-elect Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20, the stakes for Chinese exports are likely to be higher not just into the U.S., but into countries like Mexico, which is slapping tariffs of its own on goods like textiles.Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 14 Jan. 2025
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Canadian officials say that if Trump follows through with his threat of punishing tariffs, Canada would consider slapping retaliatory tariffs on American orange juice, toilets and some steel products.Jim Morris, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2025
Verb
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In the middle of one firefight, Lozano also got knocked senseless by the blast wave from a tank gun.Jon Hamilton, NPR, 14 Jan. 2025
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As of that date, an additional 30,000 MW of potential new loads had also come knocking at AEP’s door (a figure likely to be even larger today).Peter Kelly-Detwiler, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
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When the bread banging is over, expect lots of crumbs on the ground, but do not despair.Catherine Garcia, theweek, 30 Dec. 2024
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Two bodies banging against each other is great in real life, but in movies, sexuality is very much a suggestion.Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 27 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Her twin brother witnessed the attack and punched two men: the man who attacked his sister and Corrado.Emily Blackwood, People.com, 10 Jan. 2025
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Before the house was put on the market, the seller dutifully encased the existing stair in concrete so that the entrance was no longer accessible and punched a rudimentary new door on the ground floor.Julie Lasky, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The funny thing when that CEO got whacked was watching CEOs have to be uncomfortable.Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 14 Jan. 2025
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Once Sparano got whacked during the 2011 season, Ross gave former Titans coach Jeff Fisher the full-court press.Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Bipartisanship was in the air as a few Democrats joined all Republicans in clapping for the reading of Trump’s electoral votes, and Republicans, in turn, clapped politely for Harris’s votes as well.Rachel Schilke, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 6 Jan. 2025
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The camera switches back to the crowd and Neenah Nation is on their feet, clapping and smiling and having a helluva time.John Nogowski, Hartford Courant, 3 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near bonk
Cite this Entry
“Bonk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bonk. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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