1
2
as in blows
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 claps
a loud explosive sound
the whack echoed around the field
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in slaps
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 assassinates
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 whacks
Matt Negrin, Rolling Stone, 20 Sep. 2025
Brush off hair and debris from the surface, then give it a few whacks against the inside of the trash can to knock out some of the dust.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2025
J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 11 Oct. 2025
Noun
Deeper down the road the slap of the drooping tropical tree branches against the windshield are like punishing whacks to the face for trying to force a metaphor.
—Matt Negrin, Rolling Stone, 20 Sep. 2025
Brush off hair and debris from the surface, then give it a few whacks against the inside of the trash can to knock out some of the dust.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
Fanning flatlines when left to be a solo show as Bertino whacks her around like a pinball, hitting big, loud scares that seem to keep resetting.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 11 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whacks
Noun
-
Kicker Brandon Aubrey is 15 of 15 on the year, though, and has nailed all five of his tries from 50-plus yards.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
24 Oct. 2025
-
After several tries, rescuers managed to lure the kitten with food before using a leash pole to snare it around the neck and hoist it to safety.—
Ronnie Li,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Combs has seen a series of blows to his legal case in the past several weeks.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Once the final frame got underway, chaos ensued as the undefeated NEPSAC programs traded blows.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Stewart said to massive claps from the audience.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Owen Wilson’s Stick has been renewed for a second season; the news was likely received to just mild golf claps among the online golfing community.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
As the scrum disperses, D’Angelo turns to you and slaps you five.—
Touré,
Rolling Stone,
14 Oct. 2025
-
By the end, only one of the assassins is alive; Brian ties him to a tree and slaps him around a bit, demanding to know who hired him.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The city said the suit followed months of attempts to obtain voluntary compliance in response to numerous public records requests for Blain’s messages on private email accounts, text messaging and other applications, which are all subject to disclosure if discussing city business.—
Susan Gill Vardon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Oct. 2025
-
The offense marched down the field drive after drive following those first three failed attempts, taking advantage of short fields presented to them by punt returns and takeaways.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Her wispy curtain bangs were also accentuated at the front, grazing her temples.—
Ranyechi Udemezue,
Vogue,
27 Oct. 2025
-
No, the bangs were not my idea.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
That said, Dexter’s signature burger knocks it out of the park, with two uber-beefy, coarsely ground patties and a lightly sweet and super fluffy bun, plus American cheese, thin pickle slices, red onion and dijonnaise.—
Jared Kaufman,
Twin Cities,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Gap High-Rise Cuffed Wide-Leg Jeans Gap’s denim collection always knocks it out of the park, and these cuffed wide-leg jeans are no exception.—
Emily Weaver,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
He was convicted and sentenced to 14 years in prison, but his guilt came into question in 1982 when investigators connected the Locci and Lo Bianco murders to the 1974, 1981, and 1982 slayings.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Ken Woroner—Netflix In Shelley's book, the Creature either directly murders or is responsible for the deaths of several innocent people as part as his quest for vengeance against Victor.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whacks. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share