whack

1 of 2

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 2

noun

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

Synonyms of whack

Verb

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

Noun

• 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

The pile of books hit the floor with a whack.

took a whack at solving the math problem

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

There are frightening stories of swordfish charging boats, and even spearing their transoms and whacking propellers. — Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 26 Aug. 2026

The Miami Dolphins rookie had shed his block and began pursuing Jameis Winston, reaching the New York Giants’ backup quarterback in time to whack him good with a legal hit. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2026

Noun

Eighty-eight players will receive the Pro Bowl honor with no alternates, corralling a key aspect of the all-star event that had gotten out of whack in recent years. — Jonathan Jones, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Navigating the system Most new mothers are lying in a hospital bed, recovering from birth with their hormones out of whack, and immediately handed an infant to care for, Griffen said. — Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 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

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