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
I don’t think he can wrestle — although he loves a good smackdown.
From Salon • Jan. 9, 2025
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
After a head-to-head sandwich smackdown, our food writer calls it a tie: You can’t go wrong with either of these West Seattle banh mi shops.
From Seattle Times • Apr. 28, 2024
“Someone needs to tell him that while it is possible to get smacked down, and it is also possible to get a smackdown, it is not possible to get ‘smackdown.’”
From "Paper Towns" by John Green
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.
