as in to hit
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
zapped the annoying bug with a swatter
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of zap
The buds start opening only to get zapped by icy temperatures.
—
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 7 June 2026
Where Barbie was forced to reconsider Barbieland’s values after paying a visit to the real world, Adam is forced to uphold the real world’s values after being zapped back to a fantasyland whose greatest warriors have been utterly demoralized by their insufficient physical force.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 2 June 2026
In Houston, Jeff Wright says his neighbors are already asking him about VPPs after his home system zapped his monthly utility bills to effectively zero.
—Brian Cheung, NBC news, 30 May 2026
The fact that Edwards returned from a hyperextended knee in nine days is incredible, though the injury zapped some of his explosiveness.
—Law Murray, New York Times, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for zap
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 7 June 2026
Where Barbie was forced to reconsider Barbieland’s values after paying a visit to the real world, Adam is forced to uphold the real world’s values after being zapped back to a fantasyland whose greatest warriors have been utterly demoralized by their insufficient physical force.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 2 June 2026
In Houston, Jeff Wright says his neighbors are already asking him about VPPs after his home system zapped his monthly utility bills to effectively zero.
—Brian Cheung, NBC news, 30 May 2026
The fact that Edwards returned from a hyperextended knee in nine days is incredible, though the injury zapped some of his explosiveness.
—Law Murray, New York Times, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for zap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zap
Verb
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Israeli strikes hit several towns in southern Lebanon on Saturday morning local time, killing at least five people, Lebanese state-run National News Agency reported, despite Israel and Hezbollah renewing their truce Friday.—
Caitlin Danaher,
CNN Money,
20 June 2026
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Temperatures are expected to soar on June 22 in parts of Oregon and Washington, possibly hitting 100 degrees in Portland and at least 90 degrees in Seattle.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
Verb
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On Tuesday, the Red Sox had base runners in every inning against Jays starter Dylan Cease, knocking him out after five innings and 108 pitches.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
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While detailing the facts of the case on Tuesday, Tellman told the judge that Lawhead knocked at the door, brandished a gun and ordered her to leave the home with him.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
16 June 2026
Verb
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There's one man smack in the middle of it all.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
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For the viewer, the satisfaction comes through vicarious tactile sensation—witnessing how the thatch gets smacked in by a flat, hammerlike device, or the way a tile slots perfectly into a shelf niche.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
17 June 2026
Verb
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The parasite has now been discovered in cattle in south Texas and New Mexico, which prompted Canada to slap bans on live cattle from the region.—
Andrew Muhammad,
Fortune,
21 June 2026
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Aranda slapped an outside changeup on a line down the leftfield line, and the ball struck the screen on the fair side of foul pole for a three-run homer.—
Marc Topkin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 June 2026
Verb
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Federico Valverde's powerful 67th minute free kick from the left is punched away by Al-Owais.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
16 June 2026
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He was also cuffed inside his Bronx home in 2024 after punching a family member in the face and choking them.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
16 June 2026
Verb
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While the cameras were rolling, Spielberg would stand just out of frame with two wooden bats, banging them together to startle her.—
Seija Rankin,
HollywoodReporter,
19 June 2026
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And on the other hand, there've been some folks who would like to see me out every day, right, banging the drum.—
Mark Guarino,
ABC News,
17 June 2026
Verb
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The Roots kicked off the ceremony as guests clapped and swayed in the audience.—
Jennifer Hassan,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
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As the game came to a close, fans clapped for Argentina’s successful win over Algeria.—
Julianna Mejia,
Kansas City Star,
17 June 2026
Verb
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Yet interpreting those rules can be almost as challenging as trying to whack the ball toward the flagstick.—
Jared Perlo,
NBC news,
21 June 2026
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Hastings whacked a triple down the right-field line to bring in two runs and give the Diamonds a 3-2 lead.—
Latif Love
June 18,
Kansas City Star,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Zap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zap. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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