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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of smacking
Things often turn uglier after nightfall, when the convoys return and the protesters sometimes grow angrier, shaking fences and occasionally smacking passing cars.
—
Tim Sullivan, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2026
My long-term goals are more important than smacking.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 15 Jan. 2026
Diaz obliged, but not before smacking an unlucky onlooker with a wayward first attempt, above.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Malika was now smacking the rug in rhythm.
—Joan Silber, New Yorker, 30 Nov. 2025
The suspect could also be seen smacking something out of an employee's hand during the video.
—Riley Rourke, CBS News, 28 Nov. 2025
Sparks from the electrical discharges -- akin to static electricity here on Earth -- are clearly audible amid the noisy wind gusts and dust particles smacking the microphone.
—Marcia Dunn The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 27 Nov. 2025
Myron did an amazing job just smacking the two together and then finding the shots that match.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 23 Nov. 2025
In reality, other seizures can look quite different – sometimes appearing as nothing more than a brief pause in speech, a vacant stare or small, repetitive movements like lip smacking or blinking.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 18 Nov. 2025
Tim Sullivan, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2026
My long-term goals are more important than smacking.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 15 Jan. 2026
Diaz obliged, but not before smacking an unlucky onlooker with a wayward first attempt, above.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Malika was now smacking the rug in rhythm.
—Joan Silber, New Yorker, 30 Nov. 2025
The suspect could also be seen smacking something out of an employee's hand during the video.
—Riley Rourke, CBS News, 28 Nov. 2025
Sparks from the electrical discharges -- akin to static electricity here on Earth -- are clearly audible amid the noisy wind gusts and dust particles smacking the microphone.
—Marcia Dunn The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 27 Nov. 2025
Myron did an amazing job just smacking the two together and then finding the shots that match.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 23 Nov. 2025
In reality, other seizures can look quite different – sometimes appearing as nothing more than a brief pause in speech, a vacant stare or small, repetitive movements like lip smacking or blinking.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 18 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smacking
Verb
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Part of the answer seems to be more brands willing to make early commitments that actually matter (and not just slapping logos on things) but investing in the media infrastructure that lets fans watch and follow women’s sports in the first place.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
26 Jan. 2026
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But 6-11 has a way of slapping you in the face.—
Sam McDowell
January 23,
Kansas City Star,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Bulls shot 33 free throws — hitting 27 — compared to 15 attempts at the line for the Wolves.—
Tom Carothers,
Twin Cities,
23 Jan. 2026
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Severe cold temperatures hitting much of the country this week could branch out − literally.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Guido followed him around like a puppy, from the very first day, always knocking on his door.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Jan. 2026
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Video footage from the protest showed officers swinging batons and knocking demonstrators to the ground.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Another clip of the exchange posted by Reedy ended with Hamilton hopping into a van with other officers and slamming his door shut.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Jan. 2026
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McIntyre threw Fatu threw a table and then picked up Rhodes, slamming him into another table with a massive powerbomb.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In September 2014, TMZ published a grainy elevator security video that showed Ray Rice, the star running back for the Baltimore Ravens, punching his girlfriend in the face so hard that she was knocked unconscious.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
28 Jan. 2026
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Aerating your lawn can improve this by punching holes into the soil or removing small plugs of soil to help water, air, and nutrients penetrate deeper into the ground.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The float at the front of the line featured Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy with Mickey waving the flag, Goofy banging a drum, and Donald on flute, a giant eagle looming over them from behind.—
Peter Larsen,
Oc Register,
21 Jan. 2026
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On Friday, Cuban independent journalist José Gabriel Barrenechea Chávez was sentenced to six years in prison for participating in a peaceful protest banging pots during a blackout in Villa Clara, a province in central Cuba.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The reptile reacts to being picked up by flicking its meaty tail back and forth, whacking a few of the deputies.—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
5 Dec. 2025
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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
Verb
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Kittle was trying to encourage his teammates as he was being carted off, clapping in their direction.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
12 Jan. 2026
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Mann’s hilarious Brad says to Ben, grinning nervously and clapping his hands in an attempt to make friends.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smacking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smacking. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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