smacking

verb

Definition of smackingnext
present participle of smack
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 But Varma and Shivam Dube (27) upped the ante in the final three overs by smacking 57 runs against Sufyan Moqim, Ayub and Ahmed Daniyal. — ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026 Carrington was ejected from the game in the first half after smacking Cunningham across the face during Cunningham's layup attempt. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026 Catcher Daniel Susac followed up Wednesday’s two-home-run game by smacking a two-run shot, and the Giants bullpen didn’t break down while protecting a 4-1 victory. — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 31 July 2026 Heavy raindrops flew sideways, smacking against the hood of my rain jacket and creating a nearly deafening white noise. — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2026 The first mode is a more simple impact detonation — simply put, smacking the asteroid's surface to create a shallow crater, in which a nuclear device is exploded. — Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 7 July 2026 Gill saved the first shot in the penalty shootout against Germany, diving to his left and smacking away the ball headed for the back of the net. — Gonzalo Zegarra, CNN Money, 7 July 2026 Deputies responded to a report of a driver smacking his car into a guardrail in front of The Bridge Restaurant before driving away, according to a sheriff’s office news release. — Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 6 June 2026 In Game 5 of the 2021 NLCS, Taylor had a game for the ages, smacking three home runs against the Atlanta Braves to help stave off elimination (for at least one more day). — Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smacking
  1. slapping
  2. hitting
  3. knocking
  4. slamming
  5. punching
  6. banging
  7. whacking
  8. clapping
Verb
  • Less than three months after that deal was announced in January 2022, Smith became an industry pariah after slapping Chris Rock onstage at the Oscars, earning a 10-year ban from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Hochman said the nannies were caught on video spanking, slapping or hitting the children.
    — News Editor, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of slapping
Verb
  • Opponents worry that the changes would mean less money getting invested in rural housing, precisely when housing affordability issues are hitting those areas the hardest.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The look is solid, smart, elegant, hitting a summer sweet spot that means guests come back again and again.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of hitting
Verb
  • The other student strikes one more blow from behind, knocking Xavier to the ground.
    — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The murder prompted an extensive investigation, with police interviewing more than 1,300 people and knocking on hundreds of doors.
    — Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of knocking
Verb
  • Modeling work suggests the duo will keep orbiting our star for millions of years before ultimately slamming into either Earth or Venus.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The impact caused the Camry to spin around, slamming into the back of a southbound 2021 Toyota RAV4.
    — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of slamming
Verb
  • Then left tackle Alaric Jackson was suspended by the NFL for punching a Bills player on the field after the game.
    — Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The attackers uttered homophobic remarks before repeatedly punching and kicking the victims, police said.
    — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of punching
Verb
  • Kulich stood near the side of the net banging his stick on the ice, and Power found him with the perfect pass.
    — Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The autistic girl had stopped hurting herself by banging her head on the floor when she was frustrated.
    — Joseph Shapiro, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of banging
Verb
  • There are frightening stories of swordfish charging boats, and even spearing their transoms and whacking propellers.
    — Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Yes, there were moments of humor, such as getting magic potions around the campfire at the end of each stage by whacking helpless little elves, but most of it was played straight, to great effect.
    — Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of whacking
Verb
  • About 75 people packed the room at Morning Star Community Center, often clapping and cheering in support of the criticism.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2026
  • At one point, the audience tentatively started clapping then quickly quieted back down.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of clapping

Browse Nearby Words

smackers
smacking
smacking (of)
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Cite this Entry

“Smacking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smacking. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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