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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of whack
Ars Technica, 10 Feb. 2025
Here are two examples: In California, the idea that there is something seriously out of whack with the Golden State’s water policies is hardly a far-right proposition.
—U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025
Chadd Scott, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
The rings probably formed from an icy moon of Saturn getting whacked, hard, by an incoming object, perhaps even another moon.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whack
Noun
The balance between logic and luck seemed completely out of whack.
—Ars Technica, 10 Feb. 2025
Here are two examples: In California, the idea that there is something seriously out of whack with the Golden State’s water policies is hardly a far-right proposition.
—U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025
Verb
Does embracing low brow open a door for critics to whack you over the head with your own self-identification?
—Chadd Scott, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
The rings probably formed from an icy moon of Saturn getting whacked, hard, by an incoming object, perhaps even another moon.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whack
Noun
-
But most foods know no gender, and brands risk alienating certain groups through the attempt of specifically alluring another.—
Andrew Watman,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Iran has been linked by U.S. officials to several assassination plots against Trump, not including the two notable attempts on his life during the campaign trail.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Spanish soccer giant Real Madrid announced a huge KO injury blow which Cope - citing anonymous sources - expects to sideline the first team starting player in question for around two months.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Of course, Seidler likely didn’t envision the franchise would lose its local TV partner, dealing a financial blow.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
To get the most bang for your buck and to get the best selection of homes, Vrbo recommends booking your vacation home at least two months before travel dates.—
Meghan Overdeep,
Southern Living,
26 Feb. 2025
-
Brown wore her blonde locks in a messy updo and added in some chunky bangs a la Anderson in the '90s.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
Newsweek,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Xiaomi’s shares, which are listed in Hong Kong, hit a record high this week.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
3 Mar. 2025
-
The 26-year-old Maleficent star was one of the first to hit the carpet, floating in a white gown that was chosen after a hands-on fitting with Burton, 51, herself.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Trent, who once attempted to assassinate Bradford back upstairs on earth, finally finds confirmation that Bradford and his administration have lied about the lack of survivors on earth.—
Jen Chaney,
Vulture,
4 Mar. 2025
-
Despite Sidao’s removal from power in 1275 (he was assassinated), the Mongols continued their successful military campaigns, culminating in the collapse of the Southern Song dynasty in 1279.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes,
23 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
These serve the same confidence-building/try without risk approach as plug-in hybrid vehicles.—
Jamie Gold,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
-
Give these no-fuss clogs and sneakers from Amazon a try — starting at just $24.—
Nicol Natale,
People.com,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The visions are a clever mix of the really silly — the slap bracelet, for instance — and the genuinely terrifying.—
Esther Zuckerman,
New York Times,
21 Feb. 2025
-
The sequence culminates with Elphaba’s hand slap, a sharp, defiant gesture against the crowd’s indifference.—
Bill Desowitz,
IndieWire,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Jenner, dressed in a sparkling black floor-length gown, claps along with the rest of the theater and touches the Dune star’s cheek.—
Sharareh Drury,
People.com,
14 Feb. 2025
-
The nature of Favre's slow clap drew backlash from some with pro-LGBTQ beliefs on social media.—
Jackson Thompson,
Fox News,
12 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whack. Accessed 8 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share