whack 1 of 2

noun

Definition of whacknext
1
as in attempt
an effort to do or accomplish something took a whack at solving the math problem

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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

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3
as in bang
a loud explosive sound the whack echoed around the field

Synonyms & Similar Words

whack

2 of 2

verb

ˈ(h)wak How to pronounce whack (audio)
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 whack
Noun
Second, his shot selection and lack of vision are out of whack. — John Hollinger, New York Times, 25 June 2026 When Jane reemerges the next morning, her hair is completely out of whack with a tuft sticking up and the whole mane completely bedraggled. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 5 June 2026
Verb
Yet interpreting those rules can be almost as challenging as trying to whack the ball toward the flagstick. — Jared Perlo, NBC news, 21 June 2026 Hastings whacked a triple down the right-field line to bring in two runs and give the Diamonds a 3-2 lead. — Latif Love june 18, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for whack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whack
  1. attempt
  2. blow
  3. bang
  4. hit
  5. assassinate
  6. try
  7. slap
  8. clap
Noun
  • More than 150 migrants were rescued in the early hours of Tuesday morning after a boat caught fire in the English Channel in an attempt to travel from France to Britain, according to French authorities.
    — Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The current revival attempt is driven by higher capital costs and a backlash against ESG frameworks, offering a seemingly simple objective.
    — Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of attempt
Noun
  • After Torres broke a tie with a two-run shot in the fifth, Clark delivered his big blow the following inning.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
  • That was a massive blow, and losing speedy rookie wide receiver Chris Brazzell to another knee injury Wednesday didn’t help, either.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of blow
Noun
  • Saldaña was draped in a black V-neck gown; Kidman sported effortlessly chic bangs and a shimmering Art Deco–esque top.
    — Kenneal Patterson, Vanity Fair, 30 July 2026
  • And with London real estate prices more than 20% below their 2014 peak, buyers can now get more bang for their buck.
    — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 30 July 2026
Definition of bang
Verb
  • Musk pointed to each of the three business lines as part of the pillars of the company that will fuel what would have to be 10x growth in three or four years to hit his $1 trillion revenue projection.
    — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Additionally, Alvarez’s chances to hit a home run will get a pick-me-up from playing at home.
    — Josh Shepardson, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of hit
Verb
  • Utah prosecutors are turning up the heat on Tyler Robinson, the man accused of assassinating Charlie Kirk, arguing that the evidence against him easily meets the standard required to send the case to trial.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026
  • In the days after the Zacatecas slayings, a mayor was assassinated in his office in the central state of Morelos and a journalist was shot dead in Oaxaca, in the south.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2026
Definition of assassinate
Noun
  • Other notable tech that is transforming fashion apparel and retail includes virtual try-on and AR.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 31 July 2026
  • As several of her peers engaged with adaptive sports for the first time, Hwang felt compelled to give them a try herself.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026
Definition of try
Noun
  • While other kids his age were doling out loot bags stuffed with Bazooka bubble gum and slap bracelets, Lovett was recording his favorite music on cassette tapes as party favors.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 25 July 2026
  • Pro wrestling is often viewed as a fake form of fighting, but the flips, jumps and landings are very real — slaps and kicks landed on reddening skin echo throughout SPW’s venues.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 24 July 2026
Definition of slap
Noun
  • The origin of the thunderclap (sometimes called the Viking clap) is disputed, with several clubs in Europe claiming to have started the trend, but Iceland popularised it and brought it to the world stage.
    — Elias Burke, New York Times, 23 June 2026
  • One of the moments in the musical that caused the most laughter and claps from the audience was the final song, which mocks the idea of using violence as a form of protest rather than joining a movement or focusing on policy.
    — Lorena O’Neil, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2026
Definition of clap

Browse Nearby Words

wettish
whack
whacked
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Cite this Entry

“Whack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whack. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of whack for Spanish Speakers

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