ack

Frustrated comic cry

Ack is an exclamation of mild distress, frustration, or dismayed surprise: Ack, I forgot my wallet!

It suggests a gasp or strangled reaction, less forceful than stronger expletives.

In comic strips, ack famously appeared as Bill the Cat's signature utterance in Bloom County.

The word also functions as informal acknowledgment in technical contexts, short for "acknowledge."

interjection

oops

Minor blunder interjection

uh-ohDismay interjection
yikesStartled dismay exclamation
whoaCommand to stop

eek · gasp · gulp · exclamation · surprise · dismay · shock · startle · bewilderment · consternation

pain

argh

Exclamation of vexation

ughDisgust exclamation
ouchPain interjection
oofGrunt of discomfort

ow · yow · yeow · aargh · groan · yelp · wince · grimace · cringe · flinch

Categories

Alarm Expressionshelp, mayday, SOS, oh no, watch out
oopsoops, whoops, whoopsie, oopsie, woopsie
networkingrouter, routers, LAN, WAN, switches
pain soundsouch, ow, oww, owie, owwie
search toolsfind, grep, locate, Spotlight, Alfred
onomatopoeiabang, bam, boom, buzz, clang

Opposites

emotional reaction type

ackahh

Vocalized satisfaction

phew · yay · hooray · whew · aah

communication protocol response

Dismiss as unsuitable

timeout · error · refusal

Phrases

I acknowledgeVerbal confirmation of awareness
land acknowledgmentRecognition of indigenous peoples' territory
land acknowledgementDeclaration of indigenous territory

Family

acknowledge, acknowledgement, acknowledgment, acknowledged, acknowledging, acknowledges

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated G