hit (upon)

as in to find
to come upon unexpectedly or by chance the popular belief that Sir Isaac Newton hit upon his understanding of gravity at the sight of an apple falling from a tree

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hit (upon)
Verb
  • As a 17-year-old, Gena Sims found inspiration while taking care of her sister.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 12 July 2025
  • Officers found Miller with serious injuries and began lifesaving efforts before paramedics transported him to the hospital.
    Raphael Romero Ruiz, AZCentral.com, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • Foot traffic is the point: business travelers, families, and curious locals encounter art without intimidation.
    Byron Armstrong, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
  • That was the first thing that came to my mind: A woman who disguises herself as a man, encounters a man who disguises himself as a woman.
    Marta Balaga, Variety, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • Freddie's breed can come across as less threatening than other, larger dogs, creating a calmer environment for everyone.
    Adam Hudacek, CBS News, 9 July 2025
  • But first, in episode three, Cousins goes to Great Clips in what comes across as a fishing expedition to be the next Great Clips spokesperson.
    Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2025
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Hit (upon).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hit%20%28upon%29. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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