smackdown
Americannoun
-
a severe rebuke or criticism.
his amazing smackdown of the protesters.
-
a humbling defeat.
-
a confrontation, contest, or fight, as between wrestlers or other competitors.
noun
-
a wrestling bout
-
any intensely fought contest
-
a decisive blow
Etymology
Origin of smackdown
First recorded in 1990–95; smack 2 ( def. ) + down 1 ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“I’m Your Mother” isn’t guidance, it’s a verbal smackdown wrapped in laughter that’s unremorseful and so well written, Tim Dillon is now our mother.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 10, 2025
He threatened Georgetown Law for allegedly promoting and teaching diversity, prompting a smackdown from Dean William Treanor.
From Slate • May 10, 2025
Despite the presidential smackdown, Massie cruised to reelection that year.
From Seattle Times • May 20, 2024
The dramatic showdown between the two volatile men threatens to be the stuff of legends, or at least a WWE smackdown on a bad Thursday night.
From Salon • May 13, 2024
No really, it would be a total smackdown.
From "Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus" by Dusti Bowling
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
