as in overlap
a partial covering of one thing by an adjoining member
the lapping of the roofing shingles should be several inches in order to avoid leaks
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
2
as in splashing
to flow in a broken irregular stream
the creek lapped along through the ravine before collecting in the pond
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in overlapping
to lie over parts of one another
the armadillo's plates lap tightly so as to form a protective shield
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in wrapping
to surround or cover closely
this recording of the symphony is sure to lap listeners in stereophonic bliss
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lapping
Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 13 May 2026
From my perch on a sun lounger, Friendship Bay stretches out below me – the curve of the powdery sand beach, the impossible blue of the sea and the calming lapping of the waves against the shore.
—Rebekah Evans, TheWeek, 5 Feb. 2026
As Amanyara’s resident wellness expert guided me through a sound healing session and harmonized the vibrations of a Tibetan singing bowl, the lapping of the ocean waves seemed to still.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026
When the lapping reaches your knees, start to worry.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
The lapping of the sea at our language is not a difficult concept to fathom.
—Adrian Vore, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Sep. 2025
So following it up with a powder-soft beach—the lapping of a warm Indian ocean acting as your evening lullaby—is a pretty perfect ending.
—Pippa De Bruyn, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Aug. 2025
Chris Dolce, CNN Money, 15 June 2026
Rock Harbor to Daisy Farm Campground This trail almost entirely follows the coast for 7 miles, with a soundtrack of lapping waves, trilling loons, and the occasional outboard motor.
—Robert Annis, Midwest Living, 7 June 2026
The windows in the treatment rooms offer floor-to-ceiling views of the lake and the soundtrack of water lapping up against old stone columns.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
The company’s massive collections of individual data and market-lapping algorithms means the company didn’t need to program to tastes, never mind build an audience.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2026
Cassie’s OnlyFans journey begins with her making content posing as a dog, replete with dog ears, collar, leash, wrist cuffs, tail, and a satin corset from Sweeney’s lingerie line SYRN, bending over and lapping up water from a bowl on the ground.
—Marlow Stern, Variety, 10 May 2026
With azure water lapping sandy beaches, lazy days spent frolicking in Lake Maggiore are a huge draw.
—Lisa Kadane, Travel + Leisure, 1 May 2026
The lapping waves that arrive shortly thereafter are an alarming detour, but their presence quickly feels normal.
—Joshua Minsoo Kim, Pitchfork, 28 Apr. 2026
The Great Lakes boast some of America's niftiest beach areas—and yes, there are actually waves lapping the shore at this Midwest family vacation destination.
—Kara Williams, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
The Wave percale sheets are guaranteed to lull you to sleep, like you’re being rocked by the gentle lapping of the ocean.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 13 May 2026
From my perch on a sun lounger, Friendship Bay stretches out below me – the curve of the powdery sand beach, the impossible blue of the sea and the calming lapping of the waves against the shore.
—Rebekah Evans, TheWeek, 5 Feb. 2026
As Amanyara’s resident wellness expert guided me through a sound healing session and harmonized the vibrations of a Tibetan singing bowl, the lapping of the ocean waves seemed to still.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026
When the lapping reaches your knees, start to worry.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
The lapping of the sea at our language is not a difficult concept to fathom.
—Adrian Vore, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Sep. 2025
So following it up with a powder-soft beach—the lapping of a warm Indian ocean acting as your evening lullaby—is a pretty perfect ending.
—Pippa De Bruyn, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Aug. 2025
Verb
In Houston, some drivers were up to their trailer hitches in lapping waters, while photos from Waco, Texas, showed roadways washed away by the storms.
—Chris Dolce, CNN Money, 15 June 2026
Rock Harbor to Daisy Farm Campground This trail almost entirely follows the coast for 7 miles, with a soundtrack of lapping waves, trilling loons, and the occasional outboard motor.
—Robert Annis, Midwest Living, 7 June 2026
The windows in the treatment rooms offer floor-to-ceiling views of the lake and the soundtrack of water lapping up against old stone columns.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
The company’s massive collections of individual data and market-lapping algorithms means the company didn’t need to program to tastes, never mind build an audience.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2026
Cassie’s OnlyFans journey begins with her making content posing as a dog, replete with dog ears, collar, leash, wrist cuffs, tail, and a satin corset from Sweeney’s lingerie line SYRN, bending over and lapping up water from a bowl on the ground.
—Marlow Stern, Variety, 10 May 2026
With azure water lapping sandy beaches, lazy days spent frolicking in Lake Maggiore are a huge draw.
—Lisa Kadane, Travel + Leisure, 1 May 2026
The lapping waves that arrive shortly thereafter are an alarming detour, but their presence quickly feels normal.
—Joshua Minsoo Kim, Pitchfork, 28 Apr. 2026
The Great Lakes boast some of America's niftiest beach areas—and yes, there are actually waves lapping the shore at this Midwest family vacation destination.
—Kara Williams, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lapping
Noun
-
Where Nvidia and Non-Nvidia Agentic Edge Platforms Collide You probably noticed the overlap between the Nvidia and non-Nvidia Linux edge platforms.—
Bill Curtis,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
The way in which Labbé explores the overlap of sports and national identities is not the only way in which The Murmuration anticipates the next few decades’ worth of history.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
While this would be a great thing under normal circumstances, the woman has broken two nice glasses and does a terrible job of washing everything — leaving food particles on the silverware and lipstick on coffee cups.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Mercury News,
12 June 2026
-
As people express their grief, social obligations compel them to help prepare the deceased for burial, including touching and washing the body, as is traditional in the affected countries; visit the deceased’s family; and attend funerals.—
Katherine Marshall,
STAT,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
But as Hollie told the outlet, her family wasn't the only one splashing about that day.—
Cara Lynn Shultz,
PEOPLE,
15 June 2026
-
Once the tomatoes have grown some, remove stems that are closer than 12 inches to the ground to keep soil from splashing on the leaves.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
The impact is already rippling out, said Henries.—
Alina Selyukh,
NPR,
12 June 2026
-
Hundreds of striped angelfish and iridescent parrotfish schooled through the water in rippling clouds, scales flashing.—
Julie Orringer,
Travel + Leisure,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
Audiences now live inside thousands of overlapping microcultures competing for attention simultaneously.—
Marc Adelman,
HollywoodReporter,
16 June 2026
-
Their shows are driven by a physicality both intricately choreographed and fizzily chaotic, tightness and looseness alternating — even somehow overlapping — in a rolling series of lazzi and dances, fistfights and slapstick routines.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
The couple packed on the PDA, holding hands, wrapping their arms around each other, kissing, and glancing lovingly at one another.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
9 June 2026
-
After wrapping cucumbers, Trimble likes to store them in a produce keeper placed in her refrigerator's crisper drawer.—
Susan Hall Mahon,
Southern Living,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Every day revolves around medications, feedings, therapies, appointments, bathing, dressing and monitoring their health.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
7 June 2026
-
How Long To Run The Exhaust Fan When bathing, run the fan the whole time to clear moisture and humidity from the air.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
That’s the confidence that’s bubbling around the first-place White Sox, who continued their upward ascent this season by beating the Dodgers 8-2 in the series opener.—
Andy Martinez,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2026
-
Images would appear one after another, vague ideas bubbling up before vanishing with a pop.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lapping. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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