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

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

And Tommy Edman continued his slugging surge from late last season by whacking the first home run of the year.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 20, 2025

Khushdil Shah boosted the total with a late cameo - whacking 38 off 39 balls - but Pakistan's total felt light at a ground where the average first-innings winning score in one-day internationals is 258.

From BBC • Feb. 23, 2025

Here we are, two guys from far places, whacking at a tree we hold nothing against, for a hard lady who cares for nobody but her own face-stretched self, about to plunge to our deaths.

From "Beast Rider" by Tony Johnston & María Elena Fontanot de Rhoads