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.
It’s a luxury goods smackdown: Are Cartier Love bracelets about to replace the Hermès Birkin bag as the product that drives the best shareholder returns in the luxury-goods industry?
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
For those breathlessly keeping score, the Lakers began that second quarter with a 9-0 run that, dating back to the first quarter, was an incredible 21-2 smackdown.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 2, 2026
Sorry if you’re a viewer left out in the cold by the DirecTV-Disney smackdown, but there are reputations to maintain here, thank you very much.
From Slate ● Sep. 7, 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
The camera remained on the ground near his hand, though, as no one seemed willing to get close while the robot delivered its awesome smackdown.
From "The Last Last-Day-of-Summer" by Lamar Giles
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.
