1
2
as in blow
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
gave the wasp's nest a good whack with the bat
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in bang
a loud explosive sound
the whack echoed around the field
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to hit
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
whacked the vending machine to get the candy bar to fall
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to assassinate
slang
to put to death deliberately
without a second thought the mob boss had them whacked
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of whack
Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025
A little out of whack — starts with the first letter A
3D. Marshmallow treats in Easter baskets — starts with the first letter P
4D. I.R.S. IDs — starts with the first letter S
5D. 1975 film with a 25-foot animatronic shark — starts with the first letter J
Spoilers ahead!
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
Dan Walters, Mercury News, 12 June 2025
Corey Perry, who scored with the goalie pulled to send Game 2 into overtime, whacked a loose puck at the blue line through a double screen with 3:13 left.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for whack
Noun
The measure, which is pending before the GOP-majority Senate, takes several whacks at student aid and consequently the accessibility of higher education.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025
A little out of whack — starts with the first letter A
3D. Marshmallow treats in Easter baskets — starts with the first letter P
4D. I.R.S. IDs — starts with the first letter S
5D. 1975 film with a 25-foot animatronic shark — starts with the first letter J
Spoilers ahead!
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
Verb
Even if the budget survives whatever Trump and Congress have in mind, the state’s recent practice of overspending revenues will continue until and unless the governor — and that probably means Newsom’s successor — and legislators bite the bullet and either seriously whack spending or raise taxes.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 12 June 2025
Corey Perry, who scored with the goalie pulled to send Game 2 into overtime, whacked a loose puck at the blue line through a double screen with 3:13 left.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for whack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whack
Noun
-
Last season, among QBs with at least 300 pass attempts, Rodgers had the NFL’s worst EPA per dropback against the blitz (-0.19) and was sacked ninth-most (40).—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
22 July 2025
-
Notting Hill Carnival is going to be using live facial recognition this August in an attempt to identify criminals attending the world-famous event.—
Thomas Brewster,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
Noun
-
The title bout bore out as a chess match, as the ISL school traded blows with one of the top MIAA teams from the South Shore.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
19 July 2025
-
Smith shoved the gun in the guy’s gut, took the blow, then left.—
John J. Lennon,
Rolling Stone,
19 July 2025
Noun
-
With filming underway for The Devil Wears Prada 2, Anne Hathaway and 20th Century Studios are giving everyone a first look the actress’ Andy Sachs character, and something seems to be missing: her signature bangs.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
21 July 2025
-
Gomez, always the goof in pics, is squatting in a pile of metallic balloons, reaching for the camera, while Swift, her bangs and red lipstick as perfectly in place as ever, leans back to gaze dreamily up at t—, are on brand for the duo.—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
21 July 2025
Verb
-
The floods that hit the Hill Country nearly three weeks ago killed dozens of young girls at Camp Mystic, many of whose families live in the Houston region.—
Bayliss Wagner,
Austin American Statesman,
25 July 2025
-
More: Bourbon, other U.S. spirits could soon be hit with retaliatory EU tariffs.—
Olivia Evans,
The Courier-Journal,
25 July 2025
Verb
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The next day, J.F.K. was assassinated, spawning decades of conspiracy theories.—
Jon Allsop,
New Yorker,
18 July 2025
-
The country’s intelligence services failed to prevent Israel from assassinating many top military officials, and now the Iranian regime is lashing out in all directions.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
17 July 2025
Noun
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Former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez has announced his bid for Arizona's 2nd congressional district, making a second try at winning the seat.—
Arlyssa D. Becenti,
AZCentral.com,
23 July 2025
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The restaurant’s affordability, paired with the familiar fast-casual ordering concept, offers a low-stakes way for people who may not be familiar with Korean food to give it a try.—
Rachel Bernhard,
jsonline.com,
22 July 2025
Noun
-
Plus, and this is no small thing: Its closing musical number absolutely slaps.—
Vulture Editors,
Vulture,
23 July 2025
-
When the back slaps did not work, the officer turned the child around and performed the Heimlich maneuver, which dislodged a piece of a hot dog.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
22 July 2025
Noun
-
The rumble of discontent grew into the rapturous clap of thunder.—
Troy Onyango,
Time,
24 July 2025
-
Remain inside for at least 30 minutes after the last thunder clap.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
18 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whack. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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