WHACK Synonyms: 251 Similar and Opposite Words

whack 1 of 2

noun

Definition of whack

as in attempt

an effort to do or accomplish something took a whack at solving the math problem

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

as in bang

a loud explosive sound the whack echoed around the field

Synonyms & Similar Words

whack

2 of 2

verb

ˈ(h)wak

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

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

Noun

The rooms Wonderfully classic, with swagged four-posters in the largest ones, a hefty whack of chintz and faded florals, pleated silk lampshades and open fireplaces. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026 Then there was Colin Jost’s Pete Hegseth, putting the fun in whack job Defense Secretary once again. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2026

Verb

In other places such as Libya and Somalia, Washington supported the national armies and local militias battling jihadi forces and engaged in whack-a-mole with jihadi leaders. — Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 8 Sep. 2026 There are frightening stories of swordfish charging boats, and even spearing their transoms and whacking propellers. — Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for whack

Recent Examples of Synonyms for whack

Noun

Well, on Monday, Overshown put those doubts to rest by tying for the team lead with six tackles and recording a game-sealing interception in the fourth quarter to thwart a Philadelphia comeback attempt.

— Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Oct. 2026
Butker made his next attempt — a 50-yard field goal to cut the Seahawks’ lead to 13-3 late in the third quarter — before missing from 45 yards midway through the fourth.

— Pete Sweeney October 26, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of attempt

Noun

Just when Kansas City appeared to be building momentum toward a Sunday night comeback, kicker Harrison Butker missed his second attempt of the night, dealing another blow to the Chiefs’ hopes.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2026
Rutgers starting quarterback Dylan Lonergan left after sustaining a blow to the head 6 minutes, 25 seconds into the first quarter and didn’t return.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of blow

Verb

Social media giant Meta was hit with a class action lawsuit in Australia on behalf of children and teenagers who allegedly suffered harm over the addictive design features and exposure to harmful content on its platforms Facebook and Instagram.

— Chad de Guzman, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
For the past few years, Baba Stiltz has been hitting the open road with nothing but a guitar, a tape deck, and a few pedals.

— Harry Thorfinn-George, Pitchfork, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of hit

Verb

Riehle made it to Broadway in 1986 with a role in the Emily Mann drama Execution of Justice, which centered on the trial of Dan White, who assassinated San Francisco mayor George Moscone and city supervisor Harvey Milk in 1978.

— Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 19 Oct. 2026
Earlier that year, King had been assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee.

— Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of assassinate

Noun

Chmerkovskiy has since apologized for his comments referencing Will Smith’s infamous slap at the 2022 Oscars.

— Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
The Wild, who have played all season without first-pair defenseman Brock Faber due to a skull fracture, lost forward Nico Sturm in the first period when he was hit on the side of the head by teammate Jared Spurgeon's slap shot.

— CBS News, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of slap

Noun

The red, as startling as a cymbal clap, strikes the eye, but the impending drama remains out of sight.

— Tara Anne Dalbow, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
Lightning can travel miles from a storm, and officials suggest waiting 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder before heading back outdoors.

— Manuel Bojorquez, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of clap

Browse Nearby Words

wettish

whack

whacked

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Whack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whack. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of whack

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

grotesque

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes