thwacks 1 of 2

noun

plural of thwack
1
as in thuds
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 claps
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

thwacks

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of thwack
as in slaps
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

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 thwacks
Noun
At last week’s class, high-fives and hair-styling tips were generously distributed between thwacks of tennis balls. — Lynda Lin Grigsby, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026
Verb
Morrison Strikes the Student, Too A few moments later, Morrison thwacks the boy in the center with a footlong plastic cylinder. — Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 24 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thwacks
  1. thuds
  2. claps
  3. slaps
  4. thumps
  5. bangs
  6. knocks
  7. blows
  8. booms
Noun
  • Rapp, up on Taft Point, heard two thuds.
    — Nick Paumgarten, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
  • Likewise, the score by Tony Doogan leans too heavily on generic electronic thuds, the kind that segue into a commercial break cliffhanger and an ad for blood pressure medicine.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Definition of thuds
Noun
  • The Golf Channel would always be playing in the background; the soft claps were the soundtrack to our slow Saturdays.
    — Ivy Odom, Southern Living, 1 Aug. 2026
  • 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.
    — Lorena O’Neil, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2026
Definition of claps
Verb
  • Helmut Haller, West Germany vs England, 1966 Ray Wilson misjudges his headed clearance, Haller gathers it on the edge of the box and, just before Bobby Moore can close him down, slaps a right-footed shot into the far corner.
    — Adam Hurrey, New York Times, 17 July 2026
  • Wilhelm enters the room, removes most of his clothing and gets into bed with her, slaps her, pushes her away and then caresses her face and cradles her.
    — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
Definition of slaps
Noun
  • The lower-vocal harmony struggles to stand out any time the deeper bass thumps.
    — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Agents yelled from every direction, and the thumps of a news helicopter overhead were deafening.
    — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 28 May 2026
Definition of thumps
Noun
  • Flexible, wispy bangs that don’t force you to commit to daily styling.
    — Loren Savini, Allure, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Chainlink necklaces, lace headpieces and even fringe bangs become a form of armor.
    — Elisa Wouk Almino Editor, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of bangs
Verb
  • Brink is no stranger to the injury bug, as this is just the latest in a series of knocks the Sparks center has taken recently.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The denim collection from Levi’s always knocks it out of the park, and these baggy jeans are no exception.
    — Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of knocks
Noun
  • Former boxer Prichard Colón has died at age 33, 11 years after sustaining life-altering blows to the head during the only defeat of his professional career.
    — Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Some encouraging blows for common sense were struck by primary voters to our north on Tuesday, on both sides of the aisle.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of blows
Noun
  • During booms, these arrangements can create a virtuous circle.
    — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Chip stocks, particularly those that specialize in memory, are notoriously cyclical, with regular booms and busts based on rising and falling demand.
    — Ryan Vlastelica, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of booms

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Cite this Entry

“Thwacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thwacks. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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