Hit vs. Smack — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 9, 2024
Hit involves making contact typically to cause harm or initiate action, while smack is often a sharp, quick blow with the hand as a form of punishment or irritation.
Difference Between Hit and Smack
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A hit can be any form of impact between two objects or a person and an object, often used in contexts of physical attacks or accidents. Whereas, a smack specifically refers to a slap or sharp strike, usually with an open hand, often carrying a connotation of punishment or reprimand.
In sports, a hit can describe a successful strike of the ball, as in baseball or cricket. On the other hand, smack isn’t typically used in sports terminologies but might colloquially describe the sound or action of a particularly forceful impact.
When discussing disciplining children, to hit might be used more broadly for different forms of physical punishment. Smack, however, specifically implies a quick, sharp slap usually given with the intention to correct behavior immediately.
In terms of sound, a hit might not necessarily be associated with a distinct noise unless the context specifies (like a hit in a car crash). Smack, however, inherently carries an implication of a sharp, slapping sound that is high-pitched and resonant.
The verb forms also differ in usage: hit is both the present and past tense form, while smack changes to smacked in the past tense, indicating a completed action that was quick and sharp.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Contact causing harm or action
Sharp, quick blow with hand
Typical Usage
General violence, sports
Punishment, irritation
Sound Association
Not specific
Sharp, slapping sound
Disciplinary Context
Broader physical punishment
Specific to sharp slaps
Verb Form Change
No change (hit, hit)
Changes (smack, smacked)
Compare with Definitions
Hit
A dose of an illicit drug.
He took a hit of the substance in secrecy.
Smack
To have an element or hint of something.
The decor smacks of 19th-century
Hit
A blow that causes physical impact.
He received a hit from the falling branch.
Smack
The sound made by a sharp slap.
The smack was loud and startling.
Hit
Achieving success or recognition.
That song was a hit on the radio charts.
Smack
To slap with an open hand.
She gave a quick smack to his cheek.
Hit
To come into contact with forcefully.
The ball hit the window.
Smack
Sailing directly into the wind.
The boat smacked against the waves.
Hit
A request made to a server.
The website got millions of hits daily.
Smack
A small, casual sample of something.
He took a smack of the new ice cream flavor.
Hit
To come into contact with forcefully; strike
The car hit the guardrail.
Smack
A sharp slap or blow, typically one given with the palm of the hand
She gave Mark a smack across the face
Hit
To cause to come into contact
She hit her hand against the wall.
Smack
A flavour or taste of
Anything with even a modest smack of hops dries the palate
Hit
To deal a blow to
He hit the punching bag.
Smack
A single-masted sailing boat used for coasting or fishing
The village still harbours a few fishing smacks
Hit
To cause an implement or missile to come forcefully into contact with
Hit the nail with a hammer.
Smack
Heroin
I was out scoring smack
Hit
To press or push (a key or button, for example)
Hit the return key by mistake.
Smack
Strike (someone or something), typically with the palm of the hand and as a punishment
Jessica smacked his face, quite hard
Hit
To reach with a propelled ball or puck
Hit the running back with a pass.
Smack
Part (one's lips) noisily in eager anticipation or enjoyment of food or drink
Morgan drank half the Scotch and smacked his lips
Hit
To score in this way
She hit the winning basket.
Smack
Crack (a whip)
The four postilions smacked their whips in concert
Hit
To perform (a shot or maneuver) successfully
Couldn't hit the jump shot.
Smack
Have a flavour of; taste of
The tea smacked strongly of tannin
Hit
To propel with a stroke or blow
Hit the ball onto the green.
Smack
In a sudden and violent way
I ran smack into the back of a parked truck
Hit
To execute (a base hit) successfully
Hit a single.
Smack
Exactly; precisely
Our mother's house was smack in the middle of the city
Hit
To bat against (a pitcher or kind of pitch) successfully
Can't hit a slider.
Smack
To press together and open (the lips) quickly and noisily, as in eating or tasting.
Hit
To affect, especially adversely
The company was hit hard by the recession. Influenza hit the elderly the hardest.
Smack
To kiss noisily.
Hit
To be affected by (a negative development)
Their marriage hit a bad patch.
Smack
To strike sharply and with a loud noise.
Hit
To win (a prize, for example), especially in a lottery.
Smack
To make or give a smack.
Hit
To arise suddenly in the mind of; occur to
It finally hit him that she might be his long-lost sister.
Smack
To collide sharply and noisily
The ball smacked against the side of the house.
Hit
(Informal) To go to or arrive at
We hit the beach early.
Smack
To have a distinctive flavor or taste. Used with of.
Hit
(Informal) To attain or reach
Monthly sales hit a new high. She hit 40 on her last birthday.
Smack
To give an indication; be suggestive. Often used with of
"an agenda that does not smack of compromise" (Time).
Hit
To produce or represent accurately
Trying to hit the right note.
Smack
The loud sharp sound of smacking.
Hit
(Games) To deal cards to.
Smack
A noisy kiss.
Hit
(Sports) To bite on or take (bait or a lure). Used of a fish.
Smack
A sharp blow or slap.
Hit
To strike or deal a blow.
Smack
A distinctive flavor or taste.
Hit
To come into contact with something; collide.
Smack
A suggestion or trace.
Hit
To attack
The raiders hit at dawn.
Smack
A small amount; a smattering.
Hit
To happen or occur
The storm hit without warning.
Smack
A fishing boat sailing under various rigs, according to size, and often having a well used to transport the catch to market.
Hit
To achieve or find something desired or sought
Finally hit on the answer.
Hit upon a solution to the problem.
Smack
Heroin.
Hit
(Baseball) To bat or bat well
Their slugger hasn't been hitting lately.
Smack
With a smack
Fell smack on her head.
Hit
(Sports) To score by shooting, especially in basketball
Hit on 7 of 8 shots.
Smack
Directly
"We were smack in the middle of another controversy about a public man's personal life" (Ellen Goodman).
Hit
To ignite a mixture of air and fuel in the cylinders. Used of an internal-combustion engine.
Smack
A distinct flavor, especially if slight.
Rice pudding with a smack of cinnamon
Hit
A collision or impact.
Smack
A slight trace of something; a smattering.
Hit
A successfully executed shot, blow, thrust, or throw.
Smack
Heroin.
Hit
(Sports) A deliberate collision with an opponent, such as a body check in ice hockey.
Smack
(Northern England) A form of fried potato; a scallop.
Hit
A successful or popular venture
A Broadway hit.
Smack
A small sailing vessel, commonly rigged as a sloop, used chiefly in the coasting and fishing trade and often called a fishing smack
Hit
A match of data in a search string against data that one is searching.
Smack
A group of jellyfish.
Hit
A connection made to a website over the internet or another network
Our company's website gets about 250,000 hits daily.
Smack
A sharp blow; a slap. See also: spank.
Hit
An apt or effective remark.
Smack
The sound of a loud kiss.
Hit
Abbr. H(Baseball) A base hit.
Smack
A quick, sharp noise, as of the lips when suddenly separated, or of a whip.
Hit
A dose of a narcotic drug.
Smack
(transitive) To get the flavor of.
Hit
A puff of a cigarette or a pipe.
Smack
(intransitive) To have a particular taste; used with of.
Hit
(Slang) A murder planned and carried out usually by a member of an underworld syndicate.
Smack
(intransitive) To indicate or suggest something; used with of.
Her reckless behavior smacks of pride.
Hit
To strike.
Smack
To slap or hit someone.
Hit
(transitive) To administer a blow to, directly or with a weapon or missile.
One boy hit the other.
Smack
To make a smacking sound.
Hit
(transitive) To come into contact with forcefully and suddenly.
The ball hit the fence.
Smack
(especially outside of North America) To strike a child (usually on the buttocks) as a form of discipline. (normal U.S. and Canadian term spank)
Hit
(intransitive) To strike against something.
Smack
To wetly separate the lips, making a noise, after tasting something or in expectation of a treat.
Hit
(transitive) To activate a button or key by pressing and releasing it.
Hit the Enter key to continue.
Smack
To kiss with a close compression of the lips, so as to make a sound when they separate.
Hit
To kill a person, usually on the instructions of a third party.
Hit him tonight and throw the body in the river.
Smack
As if with a smack or slap; smartly; sharply.
Right smack bang in the middle.
Hit
To attack, especially amphibiously.
If intelligence had been what it should have been, I don't think we'd ever have hit that island.
Smack
A small sailing vessel, commonly rigged as a sloop, used chiefly in the coasting and fishing trade.
Hit
To affect someone, as if dealing a blow to that person.
Their coffee really hits the spot.
I used to listen to that song all the time, but it hits different(ly) now.
Smack
Taste or flavor, esp. a slight taste or flavor; savor; tincture; as, a smack of bitter in the medicine. Also used figuratively.
So quickly they have taken a smack in covetousness.
They felt the smack of this world.
Hit
To manage to touch (a target) in the right place.
I hit the jackpot.
Smack
A small quantity; a taste.
Hit
To switch on.
Somebody's been here! Hit the lights!
Smack
A loud kiss; a buss.
Hit
To briefly visit.
We hit the grocery store on the way to the park.
Smack
A quick, sharp noise, as of the lips when suddenly separated, or of a whip.
Hit
To encounter an obstacle or other difficulty.
We hit a lot of traffic coming back from the movies.
Smack
A quick, smart blow; a slap.
Hit
(heading) To attain, to achieve.
Smack
A slang term for heroin.
Hit
To reach or achieve.
The movie hits theaters in December.
The temperature could hit 110°F tomorrow.
We hit Detroit at one in the morning but kept driving through the night.
Smack
As if with a smack or slap.
Hit
(intransitive) To meet or reach what was aimed at or desired; to succeed, often by luck.
Smack
To have a smack; to be tinctured with any particular taste.
Hit
To guess; to light upon or discover.
Smack
To have or exhibit indications of the presence of any character or quality.
All sects, all ages, smack of this vice.
Hit
(transitive) To affect negatively.
The economy was hit by a recession.
The hurricane hit his fishing business hard.
Smack
To kiss with a close compression of the lips, so as to make a sound when they separate; to kiss with a sharp noise; to buss.
Hit
(metaphorically) To attack.
Smack
To make a noise by the separation of the lips after tasting anything.
Hit
To make a play.
Smack
To kiss with a sharp noise; to buss.
Hit
In blackjack, to deal a card to.
Hit me.
Smack
To open, as the lips, with an inarticulate sound made by a quick compression and separation of the parts of the mouth; to make a noise with, as the lips, by separating them in the act of kissing or after tasting.
Drinking off the cup, and smacking his lips with an air of ineffable relish.
Hit
To come up to bat.
Jones hit for the pitcher.
Smack
To make a sharp noise by striking; to crack; as, to smack a whip.
Hit
(backgammon) To take up, or replace by a piece belonging to the opposing player; said of a single unprotected piece on a point.
Smack
A blow from a flat object (as an open hand)
Hit
To use; to connect to.
The external web servers hit DBSRV7, but the internal web server hits DBSRV3.
Smack
The taste experience when a savoury condiment is taken into the mouth
Hit
To inhale an amount of smoke from a narcotic substance, particularly marijuana.
Smack
A sailing ship (usually rigged like a sloop or cutter) used in fishing and sailing along the coast
Hit
(of an exercise) to affect, to work a body part.
This is another great exercise which hits the long head.
Smack
Street names for heroin
Hit
To work out
With that said, the group hitting their legs just once a week still made gains.
Smack
An enthusiastic kiss
Hit
A blow; a punch; a striking against; the collision of one body against another; the stroke that touches anything.
The hit was very slight.
Smack
The act of smacking something; a blow delivered with an open hand
Hit
Something very successful, such as a song, film, or video game, that receives widespread recognition and acclaim.
Smack
Deliver a hard blow to;
The teacher smacked the student who had misbehaved
Hit
An attack on a location, person or people.
Smack
Have an element suggestive (of something);
His speeches smacked of racism
Hit
A collision of a projectile with the target.
Smack
Have a distinctive or characteristic taste;
This tastes of nutmeg
Hit
In the game of Battleship, a correct guess at where one's opponent ship is.
Smack
Kiss lightly
Hit
A match found by searching a computer system or search engine
Smack
Eat noisily by smacking one's lips
Hit
(Internet) A measured visit to a web site, a request for a single file from a web server.
My site received twice as many hits after being listed in a search engine.
Smack
Directly;
He ran bang into the pole
Ran slap into her
Hit
An approximately correct answer in a test set.
Hit
(baseball) The complete play, when the batter reaches base without the benefit of a walk, error, or fielder’s choice.
The catcher got a hit to lead off the fifth.
Hit
(colloquial) A dose of an illegal or addictive drug.
Where am I going to get my next hit?
Hit
A premeditated murder done for criminal or political purposes.
Hit
(dated) A peculiarly apt expression or turn of thought; a phrase which hits the mark.
A happy hit
Hit
(backgammon) A move that throws one of the opponent's men back to the entering point.
Hit
(backgammon) A game won after the adversary has removed some of his men. It counts for less than a gammon.
Hit
Very successful.
The band played their hit song to the delight of the fans.
Hit
(dialectal) It.
Hit
It.
Hit
To reach with a stroke or blow; to strike or touch, usually with force; especially, to reach or touch (an object aimed at).
I think you have hit the mark.
Hit
To reach or attain exactly; to meet according to the occasion; to perform successfully; to attain to; to accord with; to be conformable to; to suit.
Birds learning tunes, and their endeavors to hit the notes right.
There you hit him; . . . that argument never fails with him.
Whose saintly visage is too brightTo hit the sense of human sight.
He scarcely hit my humor.
Hit
To guess; to light upon or discover.
Hit
To take up, or replace by a piece belonging to the opposing player; - said of a single unprotected piece on a point.
Hit
To meet or come in contact; to strike; to clash; - followed by against or on.
If bodies be extension alone, how can they move and hit one against another?
Corpuscles, meeting with or hitting on those bodies, become conjoined with them.
Hit
To meet or reach what was aimed at or desired; to succeed, - often with implied chance, or luck.
And oft it hitsWhere hope is coldest and despair most fits.
And millions miss for one that hits.
Hit
A striking against; the collision of one body against another; the stroke that touches anything.
So he the famed Cilician fencer praised,And, at each hit, with wonder seems amazed.
Hit
A stroke of success in an enterprise, as by a fortunate chance; as, he made a hit;
What late he called a blessing, now was wit,And God's good providence, a lucky hit.
Hit
A peculiarly apt expression or turn of thought; a phrase which hits the mark; as, a happy hit.
Hit
A game won at backgammon after the adversary has removed some of his men. It counts less than a gammon.
Hit
A striking of the ball; as, a safe hit; a foul hit; - sometimes used specifically for a base hit.
Hit
An act of murder performed for hire, esp. by a professional assassin.
Hit
(baseball) a successful stroke in an athletic contest (especially in baseball);
He came all the way around on Williams' hit
Hit
The act of contacting one thing with another;
Repeated hitting raised a large bruise
After three misses she finally got a hit
Hit
A conspicuous success;
That song was his first hit and marked the beginning of his career
That new Broadway show is a real smasher
The party went with a bang
Hit
(physics) an brief event in which two or more bodies come together;
The collision of the particles resulted in an exchange of energy and a change of direction
Hit
A dose of a narcotic drug
Hit
A murder carried out by an underworld syndicate;
It has all the earmarks of a Mafia hit
Hit
A connection made via the internet to another website;
WordNet gets many hits from users worldwide
Hit
Cause to move by striking;
Hit a ball
Hit
Hit against; come into sudden contact with;
The car hit a tree
He struck the table with his elbow
Hit
Affect or afflict suddenly, usually adversely;
We were hit by really bad weather
He was stricken with cancer when he was still a teenager
The earthquake struck at midnight
Hit
Deal a blow to, either with the hand or with an instrument;
He hit her hard in the face
Hit
Reach a destination, either real or abstract;
We hit Detroit by noon
The water reached the doorstep
We barely made it to the finish line
I have to hit the MAC machine before the weekend starts
Hit
Reach a point in time, or a certain state or level;
The thermometer hit 100 degrees
This car can reach a speed of 140 miles per hour
Hit
Hit with a missile from a weapon
Hit
Cause to experience suddenly;
Panic struck me
An interesting idea hit her
A thought came to me
The thought struck terror in our minds
They were struck with fear
Hit
Make a strategic, offensive, assault against an enemy, opponent, or a target;
The Germans struck Poland on Sept. 1, 1939
We must strike the enemy's oil fields
In the fifth inning, the Giants struck, sending three runners home to win the game 5 to 2
Hit
Hit the intended target or goal
Hit
Produce by manipulating keys or strings of musical instruments, also metaphorically;
The pianist strikes a middle C
Strike `z' on the keyboard
Her comments struck a sour note
Hit
Encounter by chance;
I stumbled across a long-lost cousin last night in a restaurant
Hit
Gain points in a game;
The home team scored many times
He hit a home run
He hit .300 in the past season
Hit
Consume to excess;
Hit the bottle
Hit
Kill intentionally and with premeditation;
The mafia boss ordered his enemies murdered
Hit
Drive something violently into a location;
He hit his fist on the table
She struck her head on the low ceiling
Common Curiosities
Is a smack always related to punishment?
Primarily, but it can also simply refer to the action or sound of a sharp slap.
Are the terms 'hit' and 'smack' interchangeable in disciplining contexts?
Not exactly; smack is more specific and usually implies a quick, corrective action with an open hand, whereas hit is broader and can refer to various forms of physical discipline.
How do the sounds associated with hit and smack differ?
Hits may not necessarily produce a distinctive sound unless specified, while smacks typically produce a sharp, clear slapping sound.
What makes a smack distinctive in sound?
It’s the sharp, resonant, high-pitched nature of the sound produced by a smack.
What is the primary difference between a hit and a smack?
A hit is generally any impact or successful action, while a smack is a sharp, specific type of slap usually done with an open hand.
Do the terms have different verb forms?
Yes, 'hit' remains the same in past tense, while 'smack' becomes 'smacked'.
Can the term 'hit' imply non-violent actions?
Yes, 'hit' can also refer to achieving success or an internet server receiving a request.
What does it mean when something 'smacks of' something?
It implies that something suggests or seems to have an element or hint of another quality.
How do the implications of hit and smack differ in terms of severity?
Smack often implies less severity and is more targeted, usually used for immediate corrective action.
What is a common non-violent use of hit?
As a term in digital contexts to refer to the number of visits or requests a website receives.
Can both terms be used in a sports context?
Hit is commonly used in sports, but smack is generally not unless describing the sound or impact informally.
Can hit be used metaphorically?
Yes, it can be used to describe achieving success or recognition in various fields.
How are the applications of hit and smack different in everyday language?
Hit is versatile, used in various contexts from sports to internet slang, while smack is more narrowly defined, often associated with physical action or sound.
Is a smack ever used in a non-punitive way?
Yes, it can be used to describe the sound or a casual, non-punitive slap.
How do hit and smack differ in drug-related contexts?
Hit refers to the intake of a drug, especially in slang, while smack does not typically have this association unless in very informal slang contexts.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
