whipcrack
Sharp leather snap
A whipcrack is the sharp snapping sound made by a whip—technically a small sonic boom created when the tip breaks the sound barrier.
The word extends to anything producing a similar sharp, sudden sound: a whipcrack of thunder, the whipcrack of a snare drum.
As an adjective, whipcrack describes things that are quick and sharp: whipcrack timing, whipcrack wit.
Sudden sharp sound
Atmospheric electrical discharge
sudden · split-second · blur · quick · acceleration · snappy · immediate · explosive
Penetrating or very sharp
Power to enforce obedience
- controlAuthority to direct
- strictnessInflexibility in enforcement
- enforcementCompelling compliance with rules
- obedienceCompliance with authority
correction · command · taskmaster · dominance · compliance · subjugation · intimidation
snap
Sudden sharp sound
smack · clap · thwack · slap · bang · echo · swish · flick · sting · reverberation
lightning
Atmospheric electrical discharge
swift · sudden · split-second · blur · quick · acceleration · snappy · immediate · explosive · blink
piercing
Penetrating or very sharp
authority
Power to enforce obedience
- controlAuthority to direct
- strictnessInflexibility in enforcement
- enforcementCompelling compliance with rules
obedience · correction · command · taskmaster · dominance · compliance · subjugation · intimidation
whipcracksilence
Total lack of sound
hush · whisper · muffled sound · barely audible · stillness