hounds
plural noun
ˈhau̇n(d)z 
: the framing at the masthead of a ship that supports the heel of the topmast and the upper parts of the lower rigging
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Deal hounds have had to adapt to the new travel environment. 
Christopher Elliott, Washington Post, 7 Sep. 2022 These sweet hounds don't shed much, but their long coats do require some attentive grooming. Katarina Avendano, Good Housekeeping, 25 Aug. 2022 But 4,000 survived, and these sweet hounds are being put up for adoption across the United States. Devin Murphy, National Review, 28 July 2022 Serious rock hounds have their secret spots around the extinct volcano, but casual collectors can find shards and large chunks of obsidian scattered at pull-outs not far from the highway. oregonlive, 3 June 2021 Welcoming the hounds with open arms was a no-brainer for Howe; this is her life’s work. Katie Mogg, BostonGlobe.com, 5 Aug. 2022 Our apologies to the horror hounds, but, despite October lurking in the distant shadows, Netflix is purging itself of several eerie titles, including Halloween, The Conjuring, and The Visit, as well as A Nightmare on Elm Street and its 2010 remake. Keith Langston, EW.com, 20 July 2022 The elevation has come after years of studying film of Sampras and McEnroe and all the other great net hounds. New York Times, 29 June 2022 Beagle Brigade, Hair-E is one of 180 hounds deployed at airports, border crossings and postal depots across the country. New York Times, 23 July 2022 See More
Christopher Elliott, Washington Post, 7 Sep. 2022 These sweet hounds don't shed much, but their long coats do require some attentive grooming. Katarina Avendano, Good Housekeeping, 25 Aug. 2022 But 4,000 survived, and these sweet hounds are being put up for adoption across the United States. Devin Murphy, National Review, 28 July 2022 Serious rock hounds have their secret spots around the extinct volcano, but casual collectors can find shards and large chunks of obsidian scattered at pull-outs not far from the highway. oregonlive, 3 June 2021 Welcoming the hounds with open arms was a no-brainer for Howe; this is her life’s work. Katie Mogg, BostonGlobe.com, 5 Aug. 2022 Our apologies to the horror hounds, but, despite October lurking in the distant shadows, Netflix is purging itself of several eerie titles, including Halloween, The Conjuring, and The Visit, as well as A Nightmare on Elm Street and its 2010 remake. Keith Langston, EW.com, 20 July 2022 The elevation has come after years of studying film of Sampras and McEnroe and all the other great net hounds. New York Times, 29 June 2022 Beagle Brigade, Hair-E is one of 180 hounds deployed at airports, border crossings and postal depots across the country. New York Times, 23 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English houne, from Old Norse hūnn knob at the top of a masthead
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing hounds
hounds 1 of 2
noun
1
as in dogs
a domestic mammal that is related to the wolves and foxes in the yard an old hound greeted us with a single bark Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- dogs
- canines
- doggies
- pooches
- mutts
- puppies
- bitches
- tykes
- hunters
- mongrels
- tikes
- pups
- curs
- coonhounds
- wolfhounds
- gundogs
- whelps
- sheepdogs
- lapdogs
- coursers
- watchdogs
- puppy dogs
- sled dogs
- bird dogs
- wolf dogs
- bandogs
- police dogs
- guide dogs
- working dogs
2
as in lovers
a person with a strong and habitual liking for something a camera hound even before the baby arrived, he's now become obsessive Synonyms & Similar Words
- lovers
- fans
- suckers
- enthusiasts
- maniacs
- fanatics
- fiends
- buffs
- freaks
- addicts
- fanciers
- nuts
- junkies
- collectors
- devotees
- fools
- aficionados
- supporters
- bugs
- admirers
- mavens
- habitues
- friends
- afficionados
- proponents
- habitués
- mavins
- heads
- experts
- groupies
- connoisseurs
- authorities
- advocates
- amateurs
- dilettantes
- cultists
- followers
- adherents
- votaries
- disciples
- promoters
- champions
- partisans
- patrons
- zealots
- exponents
- evangelists
- backers
- apostles
- dilettanti
- hangers-on
- boosters
- converts
- rooters
- faddists
- partizans
- well-wishers
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- nonfans
- carpers
- critics
- detractors
- belittlers
- nonadmirers
3
as in villains
a mean, evil, or unprincipled person a no-good sneaky hound who disappeared with the lottery winnings he was supposed to share Synonyms & Similar Words
- villains
- brutes
- beasts
- monsters
- devils
- criminals
- savages
- offenders
- bandits
- fiends
- wretches
- nazis
- scoundrels
- varlets
- rogues
- assassins
- knaves
- thugs
- rascals
- baddies
- scamps
- reprobates
- gangsters
- miscreants
- scalawags
- meanies
- crooks
- rapscallions
- evildoers
- heavies
- scallywags
- losers
- perpetrators
- snakes
- no-goods
- trespassers
- scapegraces
- culprits
- blackguards
- caitiffs
- felons
- heels
- outlaws
- vipers
- desperadoes
- serpents
- lawbreakers
- bravoes
- convicts
- malefactors
- ruffians
- cads
- sinners
- transgressors
- perps
- hooligans
- hoodlums
- wrongdoers
- cutthroats
- racketeers
- goons
- jailbirds
- villainesses
- rowdies
- desperados
- cons
- toughs
- roughs
- lowlifes
- bravos
- stinkers
- gunmen
- lowlives
- trash
- ne'er-do-wells
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- saints
- heroes
- angels
- innocents
4
as in bastards
a person whose behavior is offensive to others nobody could stand that low-down hound and his penchant for mean-spirited pranks Synonyms & Similar Words
- dogs
- bastards
- jerks
- clowns
- skunks
- skunk
- beasts
- creeps
- brutes
- snakes
- vermin
- rats
- swine
- jokers
- heels
- bounders
- idiots
- curs
- morons
- varmints
- toads
- brats
- rotters
- buggers
- reptiles
- buzzards
- cads
- boors
- scumbags
- villains
- blighters
- dirtbags
- stinkers
- louts
- barbarians
- finks
- bleeders
- churls
- pills
- chuffs
- fools
- sods
- louses
- cretins
- schmucks
- stinkards
- scums
- nuisances
- savages
- cruds
- scuzzballs
- slimeballs
- slimes
- crumbs
- sons of guns
- nerds
- sleazebags
- wretches
- sleazeballs
- scoundrels
- so-and-sos
- nuts
- sleazes
- rogues
- slobs
- rat finks
- so-and-so's
- rascals
- vulgarians
- scamps
- lowlifes
- imbeciles
- loudmouths
- cavemen
- miscreants
- dolts
- roughnecks
- snobs
- dopes
- blockheads
- goons
- lowlives
- scabs
- ninnies
- turkeys
- airheads
- jackasses
- snots
- boobies
- dorks
- nincompoops
- pests
- schmoes
- doofuses
- nitwits
- dinks
- dufuses
- dweebs
- nits
- Neanderthals
- snips
- half-wits
- snoots
- insolents
- birdbrains
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- heroes
- ladies
- gentlemen
- idols
- heroines
- saints
- angels
- role models
hounds
2 of 2verb
1
as in chases
to go after or on the track of after the scandal came to light, the politician was hounded by reporters night and day Synonyms & Similar Words
- chases
- tracks
- dogs
- pursues
- trails
- follows
- escorts
- tails
- shadows
- traces
- accompanies
- courses
- tags
- hunts
- runs after
- runs
- bird-dogs
- watches
- eyes
- seeks
- chaperones
- chaperons
- observes
- searches (for)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- leads
- guides
- pilots
- heads
2
as in nags
to subject (someone) to constant scoldings and sharp reminders kept hounding his mother to let him drive her car until she gave in Synonyms & Similar Words
- dogs
- nags
- urges
- badgers
- begs
- needles
- picks at
- henpecks
- bothers
- harries
- annoys
- spurs
- bugs
- eggs
- pecks (at)
- plagues
- baits
- harasses
- irks
- pesters
- rides
- pushes
- prompts
- pressures
- vexes
- goads
- incites
- hassles
- chivvies
- insists
- prods
- exhorts
- chivies
- cajoles
- wheedles
- pleads
- coaxes
- nitpicks
- yaps (at)
- importunes
- carps (at)
- fusses (about or over)
- presses
- blandishes
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- compliments
- praises
- touts
- lauds
- commends
- recommends
- builds up
- applauds
- extols
- eulogizes
- acclaims
- extolls