slam

To close something suddenly and hard, making a loud noise.

• Please do not slam the door.
• He slammed the window shut.
• The door slammed behind her as she left.

How to use it: slam something shut (She slammed the window shut.)

Similar words: bang, shut forcefully

Common phrases: slam the door, slam shut, slam a window

To hit something hard against a surface.

• He slammed his hand against the table.
• The car slammed into a wall.
• A wave slammed the boat against the rocks.

How to use it: slam something against/into something (He slammed his fist against the wall.); slam into something (The car slammed into a tree.)

Similar words: smash, bang

Common phrases: slam against something, slam into something, slam a fist

To criticize someone or something very strongly.

• Critics slammed the film.
• The newspaper slammed the mayor for ignoring complaints.
• She was slammed by fans after her poor performance.

How to use it: slam someone/something for something/doing something (Critics slammed the company for wasting money.)

Similar words: criticize, attack, condemn

Opposites: praise

Common phrases: slam someone for, slam a decision, critics slam something

To put something somewhere with sudden force and a loud noise.

• He slammed his bag down.
• She slammed the book onto the table.
• The worker slammed the heavy box into the van.

How to use it: slam something down (He slammed the glass down.); slam something onto/into something (She slammed the folder onto the desk.)

Similar words: bang down

Common phrases: slam something down, slam something onto, slam something into

To hit something very hard using a tool or other object.

• She slammed the ball with her racket.
• He slammed the nail with a hammer.
• The player swung his bat and slammed the ball across the field.

How to use it: slam something with something (He slammed the ball with his bat.)

Similar words: strike, hit, smash

Common phrases: slam a ball, slam with something, slam a nail

The loud noise and shaking caused by closing something very hard.

• I heard a loud slam.
• The door closed with a slam.
• A slam from upstairs made everyone look up.

Similar words: bang

Common phrases: door slam, with a slam, loud slam

A sudden, forceful hit or collision.

• The slam knocked him down.
• A sudden slam against the wall shook the room.
• He landed on the floor with a painful slam.

Similar words: impact, blow

Common phrases: a hard slam, slam against something, with a slam