whack
7 synonyms for whack, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To hit something hard and sharply.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
To hit something hard and sharply.
“He whacked the vending machine when it ate his coins.”
How to use whack
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
whack someone
out of whack
take a whack at
Etymology
Origin uncertain, likely Scottish and probably imitative of the sound of a sharp blow — the source of the related word "thwack."
Full origin of whack →Frequently asked questions
What does “whack” mean?
The word “whack” means to hit something hard and sharply. In plain terms, to hit hard, or the hit itself; slang for a share of money or (criminal slang) to kill.
How do you pronounce “whack”?
“Whack” is pronounced WAK (/ˈwæk/ in IPA).
How do you use “whack” in a sentence?
Here is “whack” used in a sentence: “He whacked the vending machine when it ate his coins.”
What part of speech is “whack”?
Depending on how it is used, “whack” can be a verb and a noun.
Is “whack” a common word?
“Whack” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “whack” have?
“Whack” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to hit something hard and sharply.
