whacking

American  

[hwak-ing, wak-] / ˈʰwæk ɪŋ, ˈwæk- /

adjective

Informal.

1. large.

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whacking British  

/ ˈwækɪŋ /

adjective

1. enormous

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adverb

1. (intensifier)

   a whacking big lie

Etymology

Origin of whacking

First recorded in 1800–10; whack + -ing ²

Example Sentences

Two big loans that were made during the postpandemic boom in private-equity buyouts are defaulting, whacking some private-credit funds and ratcheting up losses in the already troubled corner of Wall Street.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

Markets are treading water due to other concerns too—notably private credit and ongoing fears about artificial intelligence whacking software and services companies.

From Barron's • Feb. 20, 2026

From repeatedly whacking steel with a heavy hammer to sitting sweat-drenched by a hearth for hours, the daily grind of blademaking is also not for the faint-hearted.

From Barron's • Feb. 11, 2026

Andy Pages started the rally by whacking his second home run in two nights, busting out of his early-season slump with a game-tying drive to left in an 0-and-2 count.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2025

It’s like a pinball machine, and I’m the little silver ball that everyone is whacking and slapping around.

From "Free Lunch" by Rex Ogle