as in slapping
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner he smacked the punching bag one final time before heading to the showers
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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 smacking The flashes were caused by rocky objects smacking into the lunar surface, and the astronauts’ observations of them caused scientists in Mission Control at the Johnson Space Center to erupt in cheers. —
Denise Chow, NBC news, 23 Apr. 2026 De Kock smashed eight boundaries and seven sixes and Dhir complemented his South African teammate by smacking three fours and three sixes in the century partnership. —ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026 Berfield — who played Reese, Dewey's older brother — watches the tween get picked on by a group of bullies before turning and smacking them with his bag. —Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026 Other incidents over the years have seen fans grab at Nikki Bella or actually smacking Alex Bliss on the backside as Nia Jax was carrying her over her shoulder from a previous segment. —Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026 In Los Angeles, Jonathon Redondo-Rosales was charged with assault for smacking an agent with a hat after a car struck him. —Oriana Van Praag, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2026 But a leadoff walk in the top of the 9th allowed Eugenio Suárez to knock in what would prove to be the winning run, smacking a double to left center field and scoring pinch runner Javier Sonoja. —CBS News, 18 Mar. 2026 Her furious attempts to extricate herself from Ramirez ended with her smacking her head on the parking lot asphalt and Ramirez hitting her in the right eye, according to the arrest report. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2026 Shepard attached the head of a 6-iron golf club to his sample collecting tool and was recorded smacking a couple golf balls across the lunar landscape. —Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Denise Chow, NBC news, 23 Apr. 2026 De Kock smashed eight boundaries and seven sixes and Dhir complemented his South African teammate by smacking three fours and three sixes in the century partnership. —ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026 Berfield — who played Reese, Dewey's older brother — watches the tween get picked on by a group of bullies before turning and smacking them with his bag. —Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026 Other incidents over the years have seen fans grab at Nikki Bella or actually smacking Alex Bliss on the backside as Nia Jax was carrying her over her shoulder from a previous segment. —Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026 In Los Angeles, Jonathon Redondo-Rosales was charged with assault for smacking an agent with a hat after a car struck him. —Oriana Van Praag, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2026 But a leadoff walk in the top of the 9th allowed Eugenio Suárez to knock in what would prove to be the winning run, smacking a double to left center field and scoring pinch runner Javier Sonoja. —CBS News, 18 Mar. 2026 Her furious attempts to extricate herself from Ramirez ended with her smacking her head on the parking lot asphalt and Ramirez hitting her in the right eye, according to the arrest report. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2026 Shepard attached the head of a 6-iron golf club to his sample collecting tool and was recorded smacking a couple golf balls across the lunar landscape. —Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smacking
Verb
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The movie's December 2022 release was largely overshadowed by the aftermath of Smith slapping Chris Rock on stage at that year's Academy Awards.— Staff Author, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
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This is simply slapping lipstick on a pig and, once again, taking no accountability.— Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
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Giants ace Logan Webb hitting the Dodgers’ Dalton Rushing with a pitch, as well as Rushing’s subsequent hard slide into shortstop Willy Adames, pale in comparison to the clashes between San Francisco and Los Angeles in the past.— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026
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But the big ticket moment comes in the morning, when coffee is delivered to you in bed and the tent canopy is drawn to reveal the sun hitting the looming red rocks of the canyon.— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Iranians have been knocking around in the United States’ critical infrastructure for years.— Sue Halpern, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
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Serve it at room temperature so the salad on top won't wilt (and the cooking is complete before the guests come knocking).— Ashlyn Ware, Midwest Living, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Video emerged online showing a red Ferrari shooting out of a tunnel along the highway at a high speed, slamming into a concrete barrier where the road curved and erupting into flames.— Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
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Hamadeh, who won his seat in Arizona’s 8th Congressional District in 2024, also spent time in his speech slamming top Democrats with insults.— Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The video shows Timothy Brown's arrest last week in Brooklyn, in which the arresting officers can be seen repeatedly punching him, and shoving him to the ground.— Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
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Brown again pulls his hands away from the cops before Maden starts punching him.— Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 19 Apr. 2026
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Jurors then heard sounds of banging and choking and Athena screaming and crying, the Star-Telegram reports.— KC Baker, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
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On the night he was arrested, Martinez confessed to shaking Heather and banging her head against a crib, but later recanted that confession.— Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But, really, just being on the island feels like meditative wellness, including taking a golf club and a biodegradable ball from the island shop and whacking it into the sea.— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
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Ultimately, the Yanks would spend 2 hours and 45 minutes on the court, meaning 2023 champion Tiafoe, who had prevailed in two previous marathons, wound up whacking balls for eight-plus hours in his ultimately futile bid for reach a fourth consecutive final here.— Dale Robertson, Houston Chronicle, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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To see players announced and introduced after 10 minutes of pointless waiting and camera shots of team executives sitting around a table looking at laptops before clapping after every decision.— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
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Following suit, Charlotte could be seen clapping along with her mama while watching along.— Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 18 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smacking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/smacking. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
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