Expressing Physical Actions and Reactions: English Vocabulary List

to strike forcefully with a sharp blow

"He whacked the ball with his bat."

"The little boy tried to whack the pi�ata with a stick but kept missing it entirely."

to beat someone or something with a closed fist quickly and forcefully

"The boxer punched his opponent hard."

"The boxer trained every single day to punch harder and faster than his main rival."

to hit or strike something with a sweeping motion

"Swipe left to reject the profile."

"She quickly swiped her access card at the door and ran inside to catch her train."

to attack or handle someone or something roughly, causing severe injury or damage

"The bear mauled the hiker."

"A hungry bear attacked the lone hiker and tried to maul him but he escaped just in time."

to hit or strike heavily with the hand or a blunt object, producing a dull, muffled sound

"My heart did thump."

"He could feel his heart thump loudly in his chest as he waited for the exam results anxiously."