noun a sharp slap or blow with the palm of the hand
verb to have a hint or suggestion of something
The new collection smacks of retro style, with bold colors and vintage-inspired designs.
The candidate's speech smacks of populism, appealing to the emotions of the electorate.
The novel's opening chapter smacks of foreshadowing, hinting at what is to come in the story.
The dish smacks of garlic and herbs, giving it a flavorful and aromatic taste.
In a literary context, 'smack of' is used to indicate that something has a hint or suggestion of a particular quality or characteristic, such as a story that smacks of betrayal or a character whose actions smack of deceit.
Psychologists may use 'smack of' when discussing behaviors or traits that strongly resemble or suggest a certain psychological condition or issue, such as a pattern of behavior that smacks of narcissism or a response that smacks of avoidance.
Lawyers may use 'smack of' in legal contexts to suggest that a certain action or decision appears to have a clear indication or implication of a particular legal consequence, such as a contract clause that smacks of ambiguity or a ruling that smacks of bias.
In the field of business analysis, 'smack of' may be used to describe a situation or proposal that seems to have a strong resemblance or indication of a certain business risk or opportunity, such as a marketing strategy that smacks of innovation or a financial forecast that smacks of over-optimism.