as in slapping
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
he smacked the punching bag one final time before heading to the showers
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of smacking
In the middle, a president who promised to put both conflicts to bed – and whose talk of a Nobel Peace Prize is smacking up against the reality of the Gaza and Ukraine wars.
—
Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025
Under the hot summer sun, players drip sweat after repeatedly smacking into each other during long, physical practices.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 21 Aug. 2025
Montgomery gave the White Sox a 3-1 lead, smacking a two-run single to right field.
—Field Level Media, Reuters, 12 Aug. 2025
Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025
Under the hot summer sun, players drip sweat after repeatedly smacking into each other during long, physical practices.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 21 Aug. 2025
Montgomery gave the White Sox a 3-1 lead, smacking a two-run single to right field.
—Field Level Media, Reuters, 12 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smacking
Verb
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Later that night Plumier demonstrates by swiftly slapping the limp green body of a bullfrog hard across his leg.—
Sophie Hartley,
IndyStar,
9 Sep. 2025
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Tchervinski can be seen in one of videos of the incident slapping a Black man.—
Cameron Knight,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Sep. 2025
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Smith stretched as far as his body would allow, inadvertently hitting the splits in the process.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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All we were focused on was just containing him, knocking the pocket back, just trying to keep him in the pocket, and forcing the football.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
14 Sep. 2025
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No texts, no phone calls, no IMs—just walking over to their house, knocking on the door, and hanging out together?—
Kara Nesvig,
Parents,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Center fielder Lawrence Butler was the first player to score, slamming a ball into center field during his first at-bat to lead off the first inning.—
Mathew Miranda,
Sacbee.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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The instruments detected gravitational waves, faint ripples in space-time produced by the two black holes slamming into each other.—
Jacopo Prisco,
CNN Money,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Taddese is on the ground, bent over, face down, as a man kicks him, and the woman who was pushed, dressed in a black jumpsuit and barefoot, gets up and begins punching him.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
12 Sep. 2025
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Samirah, the central performer, entrances Billie—her lyrics punching over vibrating beats, her voice gritty and sultry.—
Lauren Morrow
September 9,
Literary Hub,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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She’s matched wonderfully by Cooke, who leans into her actual Manchester accent to give Cherry a stroppy, sarcastic bent and whose body looks absolutely banging wrapped in an array of oxblood, maroon, and cerise minidresses.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
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From his head-banging guitar solo to his crisp, impressively precise vocals, Thomas delivered male R&B showmanship reminiscent of Maxwell or D’Angelo.—
Kyle Denis,
Billboard,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The robot showcased exemplary skills with the bat, whacking the ball precisely in a rally of over 100 shots with human-like agility.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Sep. 2025
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New York put the screws to its division rival on Tuesday, whacking nine home runs to cruise to a 13-3 victory.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Frankie returned the sentiment by clapping his hands after petting the dog.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
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Frankie Grande was spotted standing and clapping for Carpenter once the signs went up.—
Stacy Lambe,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smacking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smacking. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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