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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bonk
An argument ensues between two of the officials that ends when the not-quite-dead man gets bonked on the head with a mace.
—
David Plazas, The Tennessean, 17 Apr. 2024
In a split second, Jaden decided to one-up Carolyn’s cruelty and bonked her in the head repeatedly with the fire poker.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 24 July 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for bonk
David Plazas, The Tennessean, 17 Apr. 2024
In a split second, Jaden decided to one-up Carolyn’s cruelty and bonked her in the head repeatedly with the fire poker.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 24 July 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for bonk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bonk
Verb
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While hitting 350 homers is a feat in itself, Judge reached the mark more quickly than former slugger Mark McGwire.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
13 July 2025
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The Padres took a 5-4 lead in the seventh inning when Fernando Tatis Jr. hit a one-out single, moved to third on a single by Luis Arraez and scored on a sacrifice fly by Machado.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 July 2025
Verb
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In 1648, a group of English Puritans set sail from Bermuda to avoid religious persecution only to smack into Devil’s Backbone reef.—
Norma Meyer,
Oc Register,
9 July 2025
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Standing all of 4-foot-5 and weighing 63 pounds, Indie-Reign routinely smacks the ball about 170 yards off the tee.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 July 2025
Verb
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In recent days, Trump has slapped tariffs of at least 20% set to begin Aug. 1 on more than a dozen countries.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
13 July 2025
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For instance, Trump slapped steep tariffs on steel and aluminum and is targeting copper next — and those are critical inputs factories need to make goods.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
11 July 2025
Verb
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On Saturday, the New York Yankees slugger knocked a ball over the outfield wall to reach the milestone.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
13 July 2025
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Less than a month later, Monson knocked nearly 10 seconds off the American record at 10,000 meters, running 30:03.82 at The Ten, a Sound Running distance carnival in San Juan Capistrano.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
13 July 2025
Verb
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Flanked by Republican legislators and members of his Cabinet, Trump signed the multitrillion-dollar legislation at a desk on the White House driveway, then banged down a gavel gifted to him by House Speaker Mike Johnson that was used during the bill's final passage Thursday.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
5 July 2025
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Ensure everyone is secure inside before banging pots or making other loud noises to scare the bear away.—
Saman Shafiq,
The Courier-Journal,
2 July 2025
Verb
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Another of Raleigh's sons, Kyle, ran up, and punched Morrow in the head before pinning him to the pavement.—
Kevin Grasha,
The Enquirer,
11 July 2025
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Kelly tries to pick up his cell phone and belongings scattered on a bike lane when the twins return and begin punching him, the video shows.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
10 July 2025
Verb
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Armed with chainsaws and bush cutters, the IPC armies sliced and whacked their way through the evildoers.—
Laura L. Davis,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
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Public libraries are asking hundreds of thousands of patrons to tell state lawmakers to back off a plan to whack state money for local libraries.—
Laura A. Bischoff,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
Verb
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The founding line walked somberly, holding photographs and drawings of missing relatives, while the more radical marchers sang and clapped boisterously.—
Julia M. Klein,
The Atlantic,
11 July 2025
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In the video, Kotb, 60, can be seen clapping as a friend brings Waffles out of a car to her daughters, who are standing in their driveway waiting to meet their new furry friend.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
People.com,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bonk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bonk. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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