thwacks 1 of 2

noun

plural of thwack
1
as in thuds
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 claps
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

thwacks

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of thwack
as in slaps
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 thwacks
Noun
At last week’s class, high-fives and hair-styling tips were generously distributed between thwacks of tennis balls. — Lynda Lin Grigsby, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026
Verb
Morrison Strikes the Student, Too A few moments later, Morrison thwacks the boy in the center with a footlong plastic cylinder. — Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 24 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thwacks
  1. thuds
  2. claps
  3. slaps
  4. thumps
  5. bangs
  6. knocks
  7. blows
  8. booms
Noun
  • Rapp, up on Taft Point, heard two thuds.
    — Nick Paumgarten, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
  • Likewise, the score by Tony Doogan leans too heavily on generic electronic thuds, the kind that segue into a commercial break cliffhanger and an ad for blood pressure medicine.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Definition of thuds
Noun
  • The entire gymnasium roared with claps and cheers, the loudest and most fervent applause of the evening.
    — Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026
  • The Golf Channel would always be playing in the background; the soft claps were the soundtrack to our slow Saturdays.
    — Ivy Odom, Southern Living, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of claps
Verb
  • As the child puts his hands up, Bible says Campbell slaps them away, then drags him off the field.
    — Shelley Bortz, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Nothing slaps like the original, but the upcoming reboot looks kinda cool.
    — Bob Herman, STAT, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of slaps
Noun
  • The lower-vocal harmony struggles to stand out any time the deeper bass thumps.
    — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Agents yelled from every direction, and the thumps of a news helicopter overhead were deafening.
    — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 28 May 2026
Definition of thumps
Noun
  • The business end of her mullet starts with piecey, asymmetrical bangs that skim her forehead and a choppy, cropped shape around the crown and sides.
    — Marci Robin, Allure, 25 Sep. 2026
  • At the Off-White Imaginary Palace event on Wednesday, Cardi B tapped into contemporary trends, styling sleek, pin-straight extensions and micro bangs.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of bangs
Verb
  • After making the deal with CBS, a local ranger knocks on Kaczynski’s cabin door and claims that local copper miners are interested in inspecting the property lines around the land.
    — Jane LaCroix, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2026
  • The Eagles defender Brandon Graham fends off a Patriots offensive lineman, reaches his left hand out, and knocks the ball loose from Brady’s grip.
    — Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of knocks
Noun
  • And the former running back, who may be suffering from too many blows to the head, shot back that none of those players were drafted by the Steelers.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2026
  • And in a single season, a high school or college football player absorbs an estimated 600 to 1,000 subconcussive blows.
    — Alexandra Pattillo, Scientific American, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of blows
Noun
  • The forecasts promised clear skies and cool air as a respite from another night of sirens, booms and ballistic missile strikes.
    — Steve Hendrix, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Billions of dollars of investment have been pouring into Georgia over the past few years as data centers and advanced manufacturing construction booms.
    — Mirtha Donastorg, AJC.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of booms

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Thwacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thwacks. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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