Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

smack-down

noun

/ˈsmækˌdaʊn/

Definition

A decisive confrontation or competition, often used to describe a situation where one party decisively defeats another.

Examples

After a long debate, the team’s presentation was a total smack-down for their competitors.
Watching the athletes engage in fierce smack-downs brought the crowd to its feet.
The politician’s smack-down of his opponent was the highlight of the debate.

Meaning

Originally used in professional wrestling to describe a dramatic and forceful ending to an interaction, it has evolved to refer to any situation where someone is strongly challenged or defeated in a conflict.