thwack

Loud paddle strike

Thwack is a sharp, resounding blow or the sound it makes—harder than a tap, flatter than a thud.

The word imitates what it describes: She thwacked the rug with a broom.

As a noun: the thwack of a paddle against flesh.

It suggests satisfying impact, the kind you feel as much as hear.

strike

slap

Open-handed blow

swatHit something sharply
spankSlap on rear
cuffSleeve or trouser terminus

wallop · clout · belt · bat · paddle · cane · switch · flyswatter · racket · ruler

sound

thump

Heavy dull blow

thudDull impact noise
crackNarrow break or attempt
slapOpen-handed blow

snap · clap · bang · clunk · thwap · splat · clatter · swat · pop · wallop

forceful

wallop

Forceful strike or defeat

bashForceful striking blow
smashBreak violently apart
poundWeight, strike, or kennel

hammer · clobber · pummel · thrash · bludgeon · slam · belt · slug · clout · batter

comedic

slapstick

Exaggerated physical humor

pratfallComedic fall on buttocks
cartoonAnimated or humorous illustration
pieCrust-enclosed baked dish

newspaper · flyswatter · vaudeville · Bugs Bunny · Tom and Jerry · Three Stooges · bonk · bop · comedic · timing

Categories

onomatopoeiabang, bam, boom, buzz, clang
impact soundsbam, bang, bash, bonk, boom
comic book soundspow, bam, wham, zap, kapow
sound effectssound effects, sound effect, ringtone, boing, crash
combat soundsbang, blast, boom, clang, clash
impactcollision, impact, hit, blow, crash

Opposites

impact force/intensity

thwacktap

Valve controlling liquid flow

pat · brush · graze · caress · stroke

physical contact vs. absence

thwackmiss

Fail to reach

whiff · near-miss · hold back · restrain · avoid

Family

thwacked, thwacks, thwacking

Familiarity: Top 100,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G