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
René Guzman, San Antonio Express-News, 4 Feb. 2026
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
Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025
Fed up with Nicky’s dramatics, Lester uses his elevator crank and whacks the former hard in the back of his neck.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2025
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
Noun
The star then grabbed a bat and took several whacks at a colorful piñata shaped like a cascaron.
—René Guzman, San Antonio Express-News, 4 Feb. 2026
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
Then little Holly Wheeler and her 10-year-old friends, including the Season 5 favorite Derek (Jake Connelly), all swarm into the basement and take over the D&D table in a passing of the torch that basically whacks the audience over our collective heads.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025
Fed up with Nicky’s dramatics, Lester uses his elevator crank and whacks the former hard in the back of his neck.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2025
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
-
Mizzou shot 38% in the opening half and hit six 3-pointers in 13 tries.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Santa Margarita was 22 for 57 from the floor and 8 for 20 on 3-point tries.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The layoffs are the latest in a series of blows to Bay Area employees in tech and manufacturing sectors.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Multifaceted crisis The latest announcement is the latest in a string of blows for the crumbling former royal palace, amid growing complaints that the museum’s infrastructure and staffing haven’t kept pace with the crowds pouring through its galleries.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The latest in what appears to be an unending stream of storms thundered through the Bay Area on Tuesday, producing violent claps of thunder and lightning bright enough to light up momentarily the gray and sometimes dark sky.—
Rick Hurd,
Mercury News,
17 Feb. 2026
-
These were claps of relief and encouragement from a European audience bracing for a mauling like JD Vance’s onslaught last year.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Boston Blue slaps a fresh coat of paint on Blue Bloods, the CBS procedural that ended its 14-season run last year.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
20 Dec. 2025
-
Speaking with Cocoa Butter about her most memorable roles, Calloway revealed that the moment Ike slaps Jackie came across so emotional and raw because the stunt went wrong.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
5 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Orbán has frequently threatened to scuttle the bloc’s efforts to sanction Moscow over its invasion, and has decried attempts to hit Russia’s energy revenues that help finance the war.—
Justin Spike,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2026
-
This absorbing book documents attempts by activists who are part of the Antifa movement to expose and sabotage far-right-wing groups.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In Guyana’s capital city of Georgetown, neighbors can still hear the thumps.—
Tyler Jett,
Des Moines Register,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Wisteria bangs are the easiest way to add a little main character energy to your styling routine.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Halle Berry quietly debuted her shortest hair in two years with wispy curly bangs while out for a casual stroll.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Her child’s classmates now discuss what to do if ICE knocks on their door.—
Anna Moeslein,
Glamour,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Before the Michigan game, the main knocks against Fears were his penchant for trash talk on the court and his ability to pester opponents and draw fouls on them.—
Joe Rexrode,
New York Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whacks. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
