Definition

1. Verb:
   • To make a slam dunk: To score in basketball by jumping and forcefully throwing the ball down through the basket.
   • To defeat or overcome something forcefully and decisively: To make a powerful, successful, and often showy move against an opponent or competitor.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • The player managed to slam-dunk over the defender, electrifying the crowd.
  • The new tech company is slam-dunking its older competitors with its innovative products.

Advanced Usage

• Used figuratively: The term is often used outside of sports to describe any action that is executed with great force, certainty, and success.
  • She slam-dunked her job interview and got the offer the same day.
• As a noun (Note: This is a compound form): A "slam dunk" refers to the basketball shot itself or, figuratively, to something that is a certainty or an easy success.
  • Getting that contract was a slam dunk for our team.

Variants and Related Words

• Slam dunk (n): The act or instance of slam-dunking.
• Dunk (v/n): A more general term for scoring by putting the ball directly down through the hoop, which includes but is not limited to a forceful "slam."

Synonyms

• Crush: To defeat thoroughly.
• Dominate: To have a commanding influence over.
• Stuff (basketball slang): To block a shot or dunk on an opponent in a definitive way.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• A slam dunk: Something that is very easy or certain to succeed.
  • With their star player healthy, winning the championship is a slam dunk.
• To be a slam dunk: To be an obvious or guaranteed success.
  • The proposal is so strong it's a slam dunk for approval.

Verb

1. make a slam dunk; shoot a basketball in a slam dunk
2. make a forceful move against
   • the electronic travel market is slam-dunking traditional travel agencies