What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
slam
Example
She slammed the door shut in anger. [slammed: past tense]
Example
He slammed his fist on the table to emphasize his point. [slammed: past participle]
Example
The critic slammed the new restaurant for its poor service. [slammed: verb]
thud
Example
The box hit the ground with a thud. [thud: noun]
Example
She fell onto the mattress with a soft thud. [thud: noun]
Example
The drummer played a steady thud-thud beat. [thud: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Thud is less common than slam in everyday language. Slam is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while thud is more specific and used in limited contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between slam and thud?
Both slam and thud are informal words, but slam can be used in more formal contexts when referring to a critical review or evaluation.
