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
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
Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
Across the street from the Gold Dome, budget writers from both parties trimmed, hacked, massaged and pushed off payments to balance a budget that started $1.2 billion out of whack.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 9 May 2025
Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 May 2025
Her response was always to whack him with her purse.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for whack
Noun
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
Across the street from the Gold Dome, budget writers from both parties trimmed, hacked, massaged and pushed off payments to balance a budget that started $1.2 billion out of whack.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 9 May 2025
Verb
No need to whack the actual band against the block.
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 May 2025
Her response was always to whack him with her purse.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for whack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whack
Noun
-
James buried his first attempt over Flagg, and then hit a 3-pointer after the 6-foot-8 Flagg missed his second attempt to give the Lakers a 5-0 lead.—
Staff,
Oc Register,
11 July 2025
-
Additionally, any serious attempt to destroy Yemeni Khat production could ultimately backfire.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
Pang’s departure is a blow to Apple’s AI ambitions and comes amid internal scrutiny of its AI strategy, which has so far failed to match the capabilities fielded by rival tech companies, leaving Apple dependent on third-party AI models from OpenAI and Anthropic.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
8 July 2025
-
The news was not only a blow to Lilly but also a surprise to millions using Zepbound on Caremark plans, who are now questioning how to move forward.—
Alysa Guffey,
IndyStar,
7 July 2025
Noun
-
If indeed Jurassic World: Rebirth suffers a significant second weekend drop, summer audiences eager to get blockbuster bang for their box office buck will almost certainly turn to Superman to save the day.—
Mark Hughes,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
-
Each metal tube is made of durable aluminum that lightly bangs against the chime’s internal bell and casts a calming sound across your backyard oasis.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 July 2025
Verb
-
Bregman hit 11 home runs in 226 plate appearances, a rate of one every 20.5 at bats.—
Jon Vankin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 July 2025
-
Earlier, in the fourth, Chisholm hit his fourth homer in his last five games.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
Israeli intelligence also probed the possibility of assassinating Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but President Donald Trump reportedly called off a hit on the Iranian supreme leader.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
28 June 2025
-
The daughter of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been accused of corruption, misusing public funds, and threatening to assassinate former ally and current president Ferdinand Marcos Jr.—
Cecilia Hult,
Fortune,
28 June 2025
Noun
-
As a powerful 6-foot-10, 265-pound big man, former Kansas Jayhawks men’s basketball player David McCormack hit just one 3-point shot in five tries during his four-year college career.—
Gary Bedore
July 10,
Kansas City Star,
11 July 2025
-
On Wednesday, the Sox completed the three-game sweep of baseball’s worst team, the Colorado Rockies, who have won just 21 times in 93 tries, with a 10-2 victory at Fenway Park, getting pitching, hitting (15 knocks) and defense in the process.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
Those embarrassing losses with ownership sitting in the expensive seats were a big-time slap in the face to the decision makers.—
James Mirtle,
New York Times,
18 June 2025
-
The number of girl slaps exchanged between the governor and Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez over the state budget impasse.—
Pat Beall,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 June 2025
Noun
-
One server then holds the flower over the dessert as another claps their hands around it, smashing the rose and covering the dessert (and table) with pieces of the petals.—
Adam Morganstern,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
President Donald Trump, left, claps as Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk prepares to depart after a campaign event at the Butler Farm Show on October 5, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whack. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share