haymaker

noun

hay·​mak·​er ˈhā-ˌmā-kər How to pronounce haymaker (audio)
: a powerful blow

Examples of haymaker in a Sentence

He was knocked down by a haymaker to his jaw. dealt his opponent a haymaker that sent him reeling across the boxing ring
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Belal Muhammad was involved in a slobber knocker with Jake Della Maddalena at UFC 315, and haymaker after haymaker left the fighter with gruesome cuts across his face. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 12 May 2025 And while the jabs systematically pick apart our intellectual defenses, the haymakers of gray goo erupting from MAGA mouthpieces are boring into our heads and leaving us woozy. Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025 Series Recap The first two games of the Thunder’s opening series against the Grizzlies started off with an emphatic haymaker punch. Nick Crain, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025 The Knicks and Pistons were throwing haymakers at each other in a game that did not disappoint. Mark Weinstein, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for haymaker

Word History

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of haymaker was in 1902

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Haymaker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/haymaker. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!