1
2
as in blow
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
gave the wasp's nest a good whack with the bat
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in bang
a loud explosive sound
the whack echoed around the field
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to hit
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
whacked the vending machine to get the candy bar to fall
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to assassinate
slang
to put to death deliberately
without a second thought the mob boss had them whacked
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of whack
Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 21 Mar. 2026
Many of the body’s essential systems—the heart, the brain, the nervous system—depend on electrical signals, and lightning can throw these thoroughly out of whack.
—Jacob Stern, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2026
Jeff whacked it on the head, then ripped a gill.
—Kim Cross, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for whack
Noun
Gasseau took another whack and the puck rolled in but the play had already been blown dead and the game continued at 0-0.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 21 Mar. 2026
Many of the body’s essential systems—the heart, the brain, the nervous system—depend on electrical signals, and lightning can throw these thoroughly out of whack.
—Jacob Stern, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
These plays are often brilliant, and even lesser variants are fun to watch, because piñata-whacking itself is a naughty thrill, a cathartic fantasy for anyone with a family and/or a secret.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2026
Jeff whacked it on the head, then ripped a gill.
—Kim Cross, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for whack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whack
Noun
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The vote marks the seventh attempt to advance the measure, which needs 60 votes.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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On the ensuing possession, San Diego State’s Naomi Panganiban missed a 3-point attempt and the Jayhawks rebounded the ball.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Virginia made one last push, cutting TCU’s lead to 65-55, but the Horned Frogs quickly delivered the knockout blow as Miles knocked down a 3 and Suarez hit sophomore center Clara Silva for a layup to end Virginia’s hopes of another upset.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Mar. 2026
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The Israeli military later said raw materials are processed for enrichment at the Yazd plant and the strike was a major blow to Iran’s nuclear program.—
Farnoush Amiri,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Swift leaned into the soft romance of her outfit with an undone half-up hairstyle with her signature bangs brushed to the side for a dreamy effect.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
27 Mar. 2026
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Cyrus has kept the spirits high by embodying her beloved character in a series of colorful, sequin, and rhinestone-studded looks on red carpets, even returning to that signature Hannah Montana blonde and set of bangs.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Crow-Armstrong had support from his team during Friday’s news conference, where first baseman Michael Busch, manager Craig Counsell, hitting coach Dustin Kelly, assistant hitting coach John Mallee and staff assistant AJ Lewis took in the scene.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
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Alcantara left the mound with a lead, courtesy of the bottom of Miami’s lineup stringing together hits in the second.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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And Israel had been conducting a campaign to assassinate Iranian scientists, which made the prospect of lethal reprisal highly plausible.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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Tyler, Andrea’s making the point that on the surface there are talks happening but there are no real direct negotiations at those highest levels, in part because so many people have been assassinated.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Sinner broke him in his second try, in the third game of the match.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
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As psilocybin has become more available, more people are giving retreats like these a try.—
Natalia V. Osipova,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Leonard extended his 20-point streak to 49 straight games with 27 points on 9-of-19 shooting, welcoming hand slaps from teammates after hitting his second 3-pointer late in the game.—
Janis Carr,
Oc Register,
26 Mar. 2026
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Emma Peschel beat the first-period buzzer with a slap shot to make it 4-0 and Sara Swiderski sent a shot from the blue line that deflected into the goal in the third.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Tears flowed, and the audience held space for grief, offering supportive claps and chants.—
DeMicia Inman,
VIBE.com,
18 Mar. 2026
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That front will bring a chance of drizzle to the coast, a few claps of thunder to the Sacramento Valley and snow flurries to the Tahoe area.—
Anthony Edwards,
San Francisco Chronicle,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whack. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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