as in splashes
a very small amount
add just a smack of vanilla to the whipped cream and the dessert will be perfect
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in blows
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
the cook gave him a smack on the wrist when he tried to sneak an early taste of the sauce
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in slaps
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
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 smacks
Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
Some biologists argue that more frequent smacks are a sign of rising ocean temperatures.
—Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2026
An attack rears its ugly head, and the security team smacks it down.
—Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 27 Mar. 2026
Then reality smacks you in the face.
—Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
Squad' rep's felon husband smacks phone from reporter 3.
—FOXNews.com, 7 Jan. 2026
Just as this monster is about to take out the entire team on the Abyss, a giant boulder flies through the air and smacks him in the face.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 1 Jan. 2026
But when things go poorly, one of those large bodies smacks into a larger one, creating a catastrophic impact and, if there’s life on the world that gets struck, a potential extinction event.
—Big Think, 26 Nov. 2025
Quietly handling the cornbread, with a buttery scent that smacks you right in the face, is her paternal grandmother.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 30 Oct. 2025
As the scene unfolds, the gorilla suddenly lifts its arm and smacks the glass, causing a crack.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
Eventually, Ginger's playful touches turn to rowdy smacks on Jesse's behind.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
Some biologists argue that more frequent smacks are a sign of rising ocean temperatures.
—Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Verb
The boy smacks him in the mouth and then immediately starts crying.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2026
An attack rears its ugly head, and the security team smacks it down.
—Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 27 Mar. 2026
Then reality smacks you in the face.
—Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
Squad' rep's felon husband smacks phone from reporter 3.
—FOXNews.com, 7 Jan. 2026
Just as this monster is about to take out the entire team on the Abyss, a giant boulder flies through the air and smacks him in the face.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 1 Jan. 2026
But when things go poorly, one of those large bodies smacks into a larger one, creating a catastrophic impact and, if there’s life on the world that gets struck, a potential extinction event.
—Big Think, 26 Nov. 2025
Quietly handling the cornbread, with a buttery scent that smacks you right in the face, is her paternal grandmother.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 30 Oct. 2025
As the scene unfolds, the gorilla suddenly lifts its arm and smacks the glass, causing a crack.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smacks
Noun
-
Add a few more splashes of the reserved hot water.—
Karla Walsh,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
-
Perennials are a great way to spruce up your garden and add splashes of greenery to your landscape.—
Adrienne Jordan,
Martha Stewart,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
While the killing dealt one of the biggest blows to ISIS’s global network in years, disrupting operations in northeastern Nigeria, the terror group's top leader, Abu Hafs al-Hashimi al-Qurashi, remains at large as Africa becomes the movement's global epicenter.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
17 May 2026
-
Annah’s resulting anguish is so uncomfortable for the others, that Ibrahim and Jacques practically come to blows.—
Alissa Simon,
Variety,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
Anderson slaps his hit down the right field line, just fair.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2026
-
At the end of the night, during the bows, Butler slaps the guys playing her two antagonists gently on their butts, a gesture that would have jarred in most stagings but fully in keeping with the inclusive, humanistic vibe of this production.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Thoughtful touches, like gifting departing guests with delicate shell necklaces, make a lasting impression.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 May 2026
-
But Miami would need to find someone worthy of those snaps, and Jaylen Wright and Ollie Gordon II are competing for those touches.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
In Guyana’s capital city of Georgetown, neighbors can still hear the thumps.—
Tyler Jett,
Des Moines Register,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
He wasn’t invited to the combine this winter and drew knocks from some evaluators for his lack of length and his inconsistency as a pass rusher.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
-
Temperatures will be near 81 degrees on Monday, and then turn cooler on Tuesday through Thursday after a cold front knocks them back into the mid- to upper 60s.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
After all, most of us just want a peaceful day sans responsibilities, handmade cards from our littles, and quality time together.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Apr. 2026
-
And for all the effort to read between the lines, to connect the dots between moves and motivations, the truth is the Valkyries have given little away about what comes next.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Take a clean, dry microfiber cloth and wipe down the shower tiles, working in long swipes.—
Maria Sabella,
The Spruce,
18 May 2026
-
The ad was filled with references blending the show and his campaign, including swipes at incumbent Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smacks. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
