thwack

American  

[thwak] / θwæk /

verb (used with object)

1. to strike or beat vigorously with something flat; whack.

---

noun

1. a sharp blow with something flat.

thwack British  

/ θwæk /

verb

1. to beat, hit, or flog, esp with something flat

---

noun

1. 1. a blow with something flat

   2. the sound made by it

interjection

1. an exclamation imitative of this sound

Other Word Forms

• outthwack
  verb (used with object)
• thwacker
  noun
• unthwacked
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of thwack

First recorded in 1520–30; imitative

Example Sentences

The following “RV Envy” adds the thwack of a full drum kit to the mix, and the staticky howl of the hurdy-gurdy is as hectic as a smashed window triggering a building’s alarm system.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 3, 2026

Dahlia Lithwick: I think what Judge Burroughs did was quite remarkable—she took a thwack at Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh in the opinion itself.

From Slate • Sep. 5, 2025

Combine sand and gunpowder and thwack, you’ve made a brick of TNT.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2025

Only then can he thwack the ball toward his opponent.

From Salon • Aug. 6, 2024

Doon heard a hard thwack and a loud “Ouch!” at the same moment.

From "The City of Ember" by Jeanne DuPrau