slam

slam — verb

1. to apply great force so a door, lid, or other object hits a surface with a loud

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveB2
Definition

to apply great force so a door, lid, or other object hits a surface with a loud bang; or for an object to strike a surface in this way by itself

Example

Femi slammed the car door shut and drove away without looking back.

slam + object + shut (resultative adjective)

Mert accidentally slammed his finger in the kitchen drawer while reaching for a spoon.

slam + body part + in/into + object

Common collocations
  • slam the door
  • slam shut
  • slam into
  • slam down
  • slam against
Synonyms
  • bang

    similar sound but often less violent; can be done deliberately

  • crash

    implies breaking or destruction, not just forceful contact

  • smash

    suggests something breaks into pieces on impact

Grammar Patterns

slam + object + adverb/preposition

slam + shut

slam + into + object

Usage Note

The object is usually something solid like a door, window, lid, or book. When used intransitively, the subject is typically a heavy or fast-moving object.

Common Mistakes

She slammed the door quietly so nobody would hear.
She closed the door quietly so nobody would hear.
'slam' always involves force and a loud noise.
He slammed the ball to his friend.
He threw the ball to his friend.
'slam' implies hitting a surface, not throwing to a person.

2. to express very strong disapproval of someone or something, especially in a publ

2.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to express very strong disapproval of someone or something, especially in a public or official statement

Example

A prominent food critic slammed the new restaurant for serving cold food.

slam + object + for + gerund

The opposition party slammed the government's decision to cut education funding.

slam + object (abstract noun phrase)

Common collocations
  • slam someone for
  • slam something as
  • slam the decision
  • slam the proposal
Synonyms
  • criticize

    general term; less forceful than 'slam'

  • condemn

    more formal and moral in tone

  • attack

    similar strength; can be verbal or physical

Antonyms
  • praise

    express approval instead of disapproval

  • recommend

    suggest positively rather than attack

Grammar Patterns

slam + object + for + noun/gerund

slam + object + as + noun/adjective

Usage Note

Common in newspaper headlines and informal political discussion. Stronger and more aggressive than 'criticize' — closer to 'condemn' or 'attack verbally.'

Common Mistakes

The report slammed that the policy failed.
The report slammed the policy as a failure.
'slam' takes a noun object, not a that-clause.
She slammed him for to be late.
She slammed him for being late.
use 'for + gerund' not 'for + infinitive.'
Phrasal verbs

slam down

phrasal verb

to put something down on a surface with force and a loud noise, usually to show anger

Lukas slammed the phone down after arguing with the customer service agent.

The angry customer slammed his money down on the counter and walked out.

slam on

phrasal verb

to press a brake pedal or other control suddenly and with force

The driver had to slam on the brakes when a dog ran across the road.

Min slammed on the brakes just in time to avoid hitting the bicycle.

Idioms

shut/slam the door in somebody’s face

idiom

To close a door forcefully while someone is trying to enter, preventing them from coming in.

When the salesman approached, Mia slammed the door in his face.

Did you really shut the door in your neighbor's face yesterday?

slam — noun

Word family

  • slammer
    nounC1
  • slamming
    adjectiveC1
  • grand slam
    nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four words describe forceful contact with a surface, but they differ in sound, damage, and intention. 'Slam' focuses on a hard impact against a flat surface like a door or window—usually done by a person or wind—and emphasizes the loud noise. 'Bang' is similar but less violent: you can bang a drawer shut without anger. 'Crash' implies that something breaks or collapses upon impact, like a car crashing into a tree. 'Smash' goes further, suggesting the object shatters into pieces, such as smashing a glass against the wall. 'Thump' is a duller, heavier sound with less sharpness—like a heavy bag thumping onto the floor. Use 'slam' when the key idea is forceful contact with noise, 'bang' for deliberate short sharp sounds, and 'crash' or 'smash' when something breaks.

bang ↗crash ↗smash ↗thump ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • slam the door in someone's face
  • slam on the brakes
  • slam dunk

Prepositions

Etymology

Old NorseScandinavianEnglish

The word 'slam' likely comes from a Scandinavian source, related to Old Norse 'slamra' meaning 'to make a clattering noise.' It entered English in the 1500s as a verb for closing a door or hitting something hard. The 'poetry slam' sense dates from the 1980s, coined by American poet Marc Smith who wanted a term that suggested energy and impact rather than a stuffy literary reading. The sports 'grand slam' meaning originated in card games like bridge and whist in the 1800s, where winning all tricks was called a slam, and was borrowed into tennis and golf in the early 1900s.