smack

To hit someone or something hard, usually with an open hand.

• She smacked the table with her hand.
• He smacked my arm to get my attention.
• The child cried after being smacked.

How to use it: smack someone on something (He smacked me on the arm.)

Similar words: slap, hit

Common phrases: smack someone, smack the table, smack someone hard

To seem to involve an unpleasant quality or suggest that something bad is happening.

• His remarks smack of arrogance.
• The sudden offer smacked of desperation.
• These special privileges smack of favoritism.

How to use it: smack of something (The secret agreement smacks of corruption.)

Similar words: suggest, reek of

Common phrases: smack of arrogance, smack of desperation, smack of corruption

A quick, hard hit, usually with an open hand.

• He gave the table a smack.
• She felt a smack on her cheek.
• The door shut with a smack against his hand.

How to use it: smack on something (She felt a sharp smack on her arm.)

Similar words: slap, blow

Common phrases: give a smack, smack on something, hard smack

A small but noticeable taste of a particular food or ingredient.

• The soup had a smack of pepper.
• A faint smack of honey sweetened the drink.
• I noticed a smack of cinnamon in the pudding.

How to use it: smack of something (The sauce had a smack of garlic.)

Similar words: taste, hint, trace

Common phrases: smack of cinnamon, smack of salt, faint smack

Directly, exactly, or with a sudden, strong impact.

• The ball hit him smack in the face.
• Our house is smack in the middle of town.
• She walked smack into a glass door.

Similar words: directly, squarely, bang

Common phrases: smack in, smack into something, smack on