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
That said, I have to read one more smackdown.
From Slate ● Jan. 23, 2026
I don’t think he can wrestle — although he loves a good smackdown.
From Salon ● Jan. 9, 2025
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.
