1
as in thud
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
he gave the ball a hard thwack with the bat and sent it deep into the outfield
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in clap
a loud explosive sound
even from the top of the bleachers we could hear the loud thwack of the ball being hit
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to slap
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
thwacked the growling dog on the nose with a rolled-up newspaper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of thwack
Jemima Sissons,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 Jan. 2026
On the softball diamond, amid the satisfying thwack of bats striking balls, players of all ages sprint around the bases, cheer each other on, and offer tips on form and play.
—
Alfredo Sosa,
Christian Science Monitor,
5 Sep. 2025
Henry Flynn,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Fans all over the world can track every shot of every player — including balls thwacked on the driving range.
—
Sam Farmer,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for thwack
Noun
Inland, the immaculate padel and tennis courts are always alive with the thwack of fierce competition.
—
Jemima Sissons,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 Jan. 2026
On the softball diamond, amid the satisfying thwack of bats striking balls, players of all ages sprint around the bases, cheer each other on, and offer tips on form and play.
—
Alfredo Sosa,
Christian Science Monitor,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
Club World Cup viewers may remember the South American receiving the ball, skipping past an opponent, and thwacking in a long-range goal against Urawa Reds in June.
—
Henry Flynn,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Fans all over the world can track every shot of every player — including balls thwacked on the driving range.
—
Sam Farmer,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for thwack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thwack
Noun
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Regardless of motive, the proposals that have come out of MLB’s New York headquarters have been vast and aggressive, and have landed with a thud in both clubhouses around the league, and with people who cover the sport for a living.
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The song stands on its own, but would have been more effective if the preceding songs were more 2001 than 2000 AD, and if producer Dan Lancaster had not mixed it so densely that cosmic chaos sounds like a single sustaining thud.
Noun
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The origin of the thunderclap (sometimes called the Viking clap) is disputed, with several clubs in Europe claiming to have started the trend, but Iceland popularised it and brought it to the world stage.
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One of the moments in the musical that caused the most laughter and claps from the audience was the final song, which mocks the idea of using violence as a form of protest rather than joining a movement or focusing on policy.
Verb
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Some of them slapped strict limits on all gas stations; in others, gas station chains limited how much fuel could be bought.
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Actor Orlando Brown slapped recording artist Ray J in the face with a wad of cash.
Noun
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That next phase will focus on measuring the shockwaves generated by the X-59 in flight, along with evaluating the sonic thump impact on the ground.
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Not long after, Jamison’s parents reported hearing a loud thump, as though someone had fallen, according to prosecutors.
Noun
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The long, curly ends she was once revered for were now chopped to her chin, while her bangs mingled over her brows.
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Plus, most of the items can be worn from season to season (talk about getting a good bang for your buck).
Verb
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Moniak smacked a 424-foot homer to right-center with one down in the bottom of the inning to tie the game.
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Kara and Ruthye figure out the Brigands are trafficking young women for dastardly purposes, giving them yet another reason to smack some dudes around.
Noun
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Vingegaard’s victory at the Giro d’Italia in May, allied with Wout Van Aert’s cathartic win at Paris-Roubaix, has delivered two key objectives but the surprise departure of head of racing Grischa Niermann to Lidl-Trek was a blow.
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Hers is a voice that ought to have a lifetime’s staying power, bolstered by a lyrical and musical sensibility that provide everything her instrument needs to deliver a happy succession of knockout blows.
Noun
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Then something unusual happened as Valdez descended in the boom lift with Pinky’s remains.
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SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg South Korean luxury department store operator Shinsegae has become an unlikely beneficiary of the global AI boom.
Cite this Entry
“Thwack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thwack. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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