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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of thwack
Tyrone Turner, NPR, 12 Apr. 2025
The timpani pound relentlessly on D and A, the final notes accentuated by elephantine bass-drum thwacks.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2024
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
Spectators crowded the sidelines, cheering intensely for their team with each thwack of the croquet mallet.
—Tyrone Turner, NPR, 12 Apr. 2025
The timpani pound relentlessly on D and A, the final notes accentuated by elephantine bass-drum thwacks.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2024
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
-
Muffled thuds are heard, and the crying stops.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Sidney Crosby was silent, Evgeni Malkin’s misplay led to a goal and Erik Karlsson was responsible for two other goals against as the Penguins saw their six-game winning streak end with a thud in a 3-2 setback against the Ottawa Senators on Monday at PPG Paints Arena.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Thunder claps rumbled like explosions, shook homes and sent animals scattering for safe cover.—
Rick Hurd,
Mercury News,
17 Feb. 2026
-
These were claps of relief and encouragement from a European audience bracing for a mauling like JD Vance’s onslaught last year.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Grahovac was hit on the first pitch of the day, and Sorell slapped a single through right field to give A&M two runners with no outs.—
Tony Catalina,
Austin American Statesman,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Beware of the word ‘spread’ slapped across anything passing itself off as pimento cheese.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Pitchers and catchers report This week, Albernaz gets a glimpse of his pitching staff and catchers, before the thump of an offensive lineup joins the workouts.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
For what felt like an eternity — but was really 20 minutes — the whole place was enveloped in an eerie silence, the only sound being the steady thump of techno-pop playing through the loudspeakers.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
With the bang of a gong, over 30,000 elite and amateur runners take to the streets, competing in a marathon, half marathon and 5k.—
Aaron E Martinez,
Austin American Statesman,
15 Feb. 2026
-
This cut has the coolness of a long, rock-and-roll shag, but floatier layers and romantic, face-framing pieces, or curtain bangs, to bring it into 2026.—
Loren Savini,
Allure,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Within seconds, Perez smacked a cellphone out of the man's hand, swung at his head and tackled him to the ground.—
Sheridan Hendrix,
USA Today,
12 Feb. 2026
-
But tens of thousands of films are made each year, and quite a few of them break the rules, defy conventional narrative expectations and smack us deep in our souls.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The 6-3 ruling is a major blow to Trump's economic policy agenda.—
Kristin Wright,
NPR,
21 Feb. 2026
-
In another blow for the former prince, the British government is considering formally removing him from the line of succession to the crown.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Paul, who began unboxing Pokémon cards on video during the COVID-19 pandemic, is often credited with helping propel the boom.—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Soaring demand from new data centers, especially to chase the artificial intelligence boom, has raised the cost of ensuring adequate energy supplies.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Thwack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thwack. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
