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to smack

to smack

164 3.5
To hit someone or something with an open hand
  • verb
  • /smæk/
: abofetear
  • We are both going at it, and she smacked me across my face!
  • smack someone on the head

I turned, I smacked the guy, knocked him out.

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Examples

  • Annoyed, he fired the ball at her and heard it smack in the leather.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • As soon as he does, smack him right in the nose, in the nose.

  • I could smack him on the nose.

  • Until I smack this wooden hammer against the table.

  • Something pale flew out of the middle window and smacked to the ground a few yards away.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • I came around a corner and smacked into a group of clansmen.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Then he lets out a screaming war cry and smacks Fallow with the sword.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • She turns, whips around, smacks him away and walks off.

  • Using your open hand, you can smack the surface of the water to create ripples.

  • If a child is misbehaving, the parent might smack their hand gently to get their attention.

Synonyms

to hit
vsto smack
∞ 1.0

To strike someone or something with force

is narrower, describing a sharp, open hand blow
to strike
vsto smack
553 2.4

To hit someone or something with force

is a more specific action focusing on a sharp open hand blow
to whack
vsto smack
250 5.5

To hit someone or something hard so it makes a loud sound

uses a sharp blow but often less focused on maximum force
to pop
vsto smack
  • Informal
46 3.4

To hit someone or something quickly and lightly

is stronger and sharper rather than a light quick tap
to jab
vsto smack
19 3.3

To poke quickly and sharply with a finger, hand, or object

uses a flat open hand strike rather than a pointed quick poke
to slug
vsto smack
  • Informal
10 4.6

To hit someone or something very hard, often with the fist

is forceful but usually describes a sharp open hand blow
to rap
vsto smack
8 3.7

To hit something quickly to make a short sharp sound

is usually more forceful and aimed with the open hand
to plug
vsto smack
  • NSFW
4 7.7

To hit someone or something with a quick strong blow

specifies a sharp open hand blow rather than any quick strike
to strike hard
vsto smack
3 3.7

Hit someone or something very hard

is similar but commonly implies an open hand strike
to thwack
vsto smack
3 8.0

To hit something hard with a flat object so it makes a loud sound

is similar but focuses on force rather than the loud sound
to wallop
vsto smack
  • Informal
2 7.3

To hit something or someone very hard

is forceful but generally describes a single sharp open hand hit
to biff
vsto smack
  • Informal
1 9.8

To hit someone or something suddenly and hard, often with your fist

uses an open hand rather than a closed fist
to bop
vsto smack
  • Informal
1 6.1

To hit someone quickly in a light, playful way

is generally more forceful and not necessarily playful
to skelp
vsto smack
  • UK
1 9.9

To hit someone with an open hand

normally uses an open hand but not always focused on the hand
to boff
vsto smack
  • NSFW
1 9.0

To hit someone or something hard, often by accident

is similar but normally describes an open hand action
to clout
vsto smack
  • Informal
1 7.4

To hit someone or something hard with the fist

focuses on a sharp open hand action instead of a fist
to give a whap
vsto smack
  • Informal
8.8

To hit something quickly with a short, sharp blow

is like this but usually stresses the open hand action

Antonyms

61 3.3

A close hug that shows affection and comfort

14 3.8

A gentle touch that shows affection

Compounds

7.0

A boat used to catch fish that has a tank to keep the catch alive

How Hard

to pummel
46 6.7
to whack
250 5.5
to smack
164 3.5
to hit
∞ 1.0
slap
110 1.0
tap
66 1.0
pat
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

smack infinitive
smacked past
smacked past participle
smacking present participle
smacks third person singular

Etymology

Smack. The verb comes from the same idea of a sharp sound made by a hit, so to 'smack' someone is to give them a quick, forceful blow with an open hand.