smack talk

American  

[smak tawk] / ˈsmæk ˌtɔk /

noun

1. insulting, taunting, or boastful comments, often as a form of banter, as between competitors; trash talk.

   At boxing practice there's a lot of gibing and smack talk between the boxers as they go at each other.

   He won the election but soon found that his campaign-trail smack talk didn't translate well to governing.

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verb (used with or without object)

1. to make insulting, taunting, or boastful comments to or about (someone), often as a form of banter; trash-talk.

   Reps from the two companies are always smack talking each other on whose cybertechnology is more efficient.

   She smack-talked him behind his back but treated him like a prince when we were all together.

Etymology

Origin of smack talk

First recorded in 1985–90

Example Sentences

“It’s time to end the smack talk, end the conjecture and settle this — man to boy.”

From Salon • Jun. 1, 2025

When Harbaugh was at Michigan, he famously reacted to Day’s smack talk by using the third-base reference to claim the coach had not paid his dues.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 24, 2024

They are generally the type of players who, if they get drawn into smack talk during a game, reset and move on to the next play.

From Washington Post • Oct. 25, 2021

This has all led to a flood of new exports from up north — of smack talk.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 21, 2021

This didn’t sound like very fierce smack talk to Aru, but considering that it was coming from Mini, it was about as violent as it would get.

From "Aru Shah and the End of Time" by Roshani Chokshi