wallop

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "wallop" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used as a verb meaning to strike hard, or to defeat someone or something soundly, as in "The soccer team walloped their opponents 8-0." It can also be used informally to describe a large quantity of something, as in "He sure ate a wallop of spaghetti!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"This is one of the most fully immersive works ever to wallop Broadway," wrote the New York Times critic Ben Brantley.

The Guardian

A tap? Make that more of a wallop.

The Guardian - Money

The zeitgeisty wallop comes in the words, which derive from a modern musician's insecurities but say so much about our brittle and uncertain times.

The Guardian - Music

The measures will wallop the coal industry and almost certainly face legal challenges.

The Economist

He had to reassure potential creditors that the government had a plan for tightening fiscal policy in the medium term, while convincing voters that any such austerity would not wallop them personally or at once.

The Economist

An adjoining relief well had already been completed, and Macondo got a final wallop of cement.

The Economist

The polls pointed, more or less, to a single outcome: the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will wallop the incumbent party, Congress, and, led by Narendra Modi, will form the next government.

The Economist

For such "creatives", permission to pack a purely emotional wallop feels liberating.Millward Brown has always probed for emotional responses, insists Graham Page, its head of consumer neuroscience.

The Economist

He doubts the tower would have withstood another wallop as great as that, but it never came.

The Economist

While Buddhist pilgrims sit under parasols, young monks wallop cricket balls on a patch of grass.Helicopters thumping by, however, are a reminder of India's heavy military presence.

The Economist

Together, the pair suggest the first stirrings of dissent in the marble certainties of empire.It is the last room, however, that really packs a wallop, bringing together a number of unique works that mark the final chapters of the Victorian empire.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wallop" when you want to convey a strong impact, either physical or emotional. It's more impactful than simply saying "hit" or "affect".

Common error

While "wallop" is acceptable in news and media, avoid using it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and professional vocabulary like "impact" or "influence" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

Wallop functions primarily as a verb, denoting the act of striking forcefully or defeating decisively. Ludwig examples show its usage in contexts ranging from physical blows to economic impacts, aligning with Ludwig AI's assessment of its correctness and applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "wallop" is a versatile term used to describe a forceful impact or defeat, primarily functioning as a verb. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and applicability in written English. While acceptable in various contexts, its usage is most common in news and media. For more formal or academic settings, consider alternatives like "impact" or "influence". The examples analyzed by Ludwig highlight its ability to convey a strong and significant effect, whether physical, emotional, or economic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strike forcefully

Emphasizes the act of hitting with considerable force.

hit hard

Highlights the intensity of the impact.

defeat soundly

Focuses on the decisive nature of the victory.

trounce decisively

Stresses the thoroughness of the defeat.

slam forcefully

Suggests a forceful and often sudden impact.

deliver a blow

Formal and emphasizes the action of striking.

clobber thoroughly

Informal, but emphasizes the completeness of the defeat.

impact heavily

Focuses on the force of the impact.

thump heavily

Highlights the audible nature of the hit.

smite severely

A more archaic and emphatic way to say hit hard.

FAQs

How can I use "wallop" in a sentence?

You can use "wallop" to describe a forceful hit, as in "The boxer delivered a powerful "wallop" to his opponent". It can also describe a significant impact, such as "The new regulations will "wallop" the industry".

What are some synonyms for "wallop"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms like "strike forcefully", "defeat soundly", or "hit hard" instead of "wallop".

Is it correct to use "wallop" in formal writing?

While "wallop" is generally understood, it is better suited for informal or journalistic contexts. In formal writing, consider using terms like "impact", "affect", or "influence" for greater precision.

What does it mean when something "packs a wallop"?

When something "packs a "wallop"", it delivers a strong or powerful impact, either physically or emotionally. This is often used to describe something surprisingly potent or effective.