whack

1 of 3

verb

ˈ(h)wak 

whacked; whacking; whacks

transitive verb

1

a

: to strike with a smart or resounding blow

whack the ball

b

: to cut with or as if with a whack : chop

2

chiefly British : to get the better of : defeat

3

slang : murder, kill

intransitive verb

: to strike a smart or resounding blow

whacker noun

whack

2 of 3

noun (1)

1

a

: a smart or resounding blow

also : the sound of or as if of such a blow

b

: a critical attack

2

: portion, share

3

: condition, state

4

a

: an opportunity or attempt to do something

take a whack at it

b

: a single action or occasion

borrowed $50 all at one whack

see also:

out of whack

whacker

3 of 3

noun (2)

whack·​er

-kə(r)

plural -s

1

: one that whacks: such as

a

: the driver of a team of oxen or mules : drover

b

: car knocker

2

: something uncommonly large

specifically : a great lie

Synonyms of whack

Verb

• hit
• knock
• slap
• smack
• punch
• bang
• slam
• strike
• clap
• pound
• bat
• clip
• swipe
• crack
• kick

Noun (1)

• attempt
• try
• stab

Examples of whack in a Sentence

Verb

She whacked the piñata with a stick.

The old man lifted his cane and whacked the mugger on the head.

They were whacking through the jungle with their machetes.

He got whacked by mobsters.

Noun (1)

The pile of books hit the floor with a whack.

took a whack at solving the math problem

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

In fact, Abdi recommends against mowing and weed whacking near tree roots in general. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 1 Nov. 2026

When the game resumed, families in the stands celebrated each time a child managed to whack the ball. — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026

Noun

Every move made by one voice of the piano is orchestrated to cast some new light or shadow on the others; one false note would throw the elegant balance out of whack. — Andy Cush, Pitchfork, 31 Oct. 2026

Instead, the findings reveal just how profoundly humans have pushed Earth’s systems out of whack. — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

probably imitative of the sound of a blow

First Known Use

Verb

1719, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (1)

1737, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing whack

• (all) in one whack
• fair whack
• full whack
• have/take a whack at
• out of whack
• top whack
• whack-a-mole
• whack off
• whack up

Rhymes for whack

• ack
• brack
• clack
• crack
• dak
• flack
• flak
• hack
• jack
• knack
• lac
• lack

Kids Definition

whack

1 of 2 verb

ˈhwak 

ˈwak

: to hit or cut with a hard noisy blow

whacked the ball into left field

whacker noun

whack

2 of 2 noun

1

: a hard noisy blow

also : its sound

2

: try entry 2, attempt

take a whack at it