1
as in thud
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
he gave the ball a hard thwack with the bat and sent it deep into the outfield
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in clap
a loud explosive sound
even from the top of the bleachers we could hear the loud thwack of the ball being hit
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to slap
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
thwacked the growling dog on the nose with a rolled-up newspaper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of thwack
Jemima Sissons, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Jan. 2026
On the softball diamond, amid the satisfying thwack of bats striking balls, players of all ages sprint around the bases, cheer each other on, and offer tips on form and play.
—Alfredo Sosa, Christian Science Monitor, 5 Sep. 2025
Henry Flynn, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Look down and there’s another scene: America’s power players – rich guys humbled by the task of thwacking a 1.62-ounce sphere from one spot to another.
—Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for thwack
Noun
Inland, the immaculate padel and tennis courts are always alive with the thwack of fierce competition.
—Jemima Sissons, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Jan. 2026
On the softball diamond, amid the satisfying thwack of bats striking balls, players of all ages sprint around the bases, cheer each other on, and offer tips on form and play.
—Alfredo Sosa, Christian Science Monitor, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
Club World Cup viewers may remember the South American receiving the ball, skipping past an opponent, and thwacking in a long-range goal against Urawa Reds in June.
—Henry Flynn, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Look down and there’s another scene: America’s power players – rich guys humbled by the task of thwacking a 1.62-ounce sphere from one spot to another.
—Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for thwack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thwack
Noun
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Come summer, the house settles into a familiar rhythm—one marked by shade, conversation, and the soft thud of falling fruit.—
Vaishnavi Nayel Talawadekar,
Architectural Digest,
24 May 2026
-
Joe threw Ospreay into the barricade to the sound of a sickening thud.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
Hijras use a distinctive hand clap using the flats of their hands.—
Charles Preston,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
28 May 2026
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Other players, especially the younger players and newcomers, did head over toward La Familia and give them waves and claps.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
19 May 2026
Verb
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Ripley slapped Jade, mid-pushup, then dumped Cargill to the outside.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
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Everton’s hopes of securing a first win at Old Trafford since 2013 seemed over when midfielder Idrissa Gueye was sent off in the 13th minute for slapping team-mate Michael Keane.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
Noun
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Soon after, hearing the thump of ball on metal gate, Badri stepped outside to check if his message had been heeded.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
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Agents yelled from every direction, and the thumps of a news helicopter overhead were deafening.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
Noun
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Right now, the best bang for your buck is the Chase Sapphire Reserve (see rates and fees), which has an all-time-high offer of 150,000 points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.—
Kelsey Neubauer,
CNBC,
30 May 2026
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Hesty is known among zoo staff and visitors for the long, swooping bangs that hang over her face.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
30 May 2026
Verb
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The shot smacked off the front of the rim.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
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Ben Williamson then smacked a ball to the right side that went off the glove of first baseman Spencer Torkelson, allowing Mullins and Fortes to score.—
Marc Topkin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 June 2026
Noun
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To pay for her medical bills, the family had to sell most of their remaining cattle and goats, a bitter blow after years of drought had already decimated local herds.—
Tommy Trenchard,
NPR,
31 May 2026
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This makes for a significant setback but not necessarily a fatal blow to the facility.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
31 May 2026
Noun
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The political horseshoe is bending around businesses benefitting from the AI boom.—
Morgan Chalfant,
semafor.com,
3 June 2026
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Bankrolling the boom were predominantly real-estate developers; by 2018, owners of all 16 top-flight clubs had stakes in the property market.—
Reagan Yip,
CNN Money,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Thwack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thwack. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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