1
as in to smack
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
she was so mad that she wanted to slap him right across the face
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to insult
to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment in
tired of jokes that slap people of faith
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in blow
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
doctors used to give newborns a light slap to get them to start breathing
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in insult
an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another's feelings
that comment is a slap to anyone who has ever served in the military
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of slap
Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Your work got overshadowed when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 27 Oct. 2025
Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
A couple of good back slaps and thumps from the adoring crowd.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for slap
Verb
The two 14-year-olds were charged as adults, but the case against Davis remained in juvenile court, which slapped him with an 18-month sentence for robbery.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Your work got overshadowed when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
And for evangelical Christian supporters of the Jewish people and the Jewish state, the entire operation is nothing less than a collective slap in the face.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
A couple of good back slaps and thumps from the adoring crowd.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for slap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slap
Verb
-
Quietly handling the cornbread, with a buttery scent that smacks you right in the face, is her paternal grandmother.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
30 Oct. 2025
-
As the scene unfolds, the gorilla suddenly lifts its arm and smacks the glass, causing a crack.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Lee will later pop in to see Dan, the storefront lawyer next door, just to insult him by requesting a recommendation for a good lawyer.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Basil, of course, is far from perfect, a rude, neurotic, accident-prone manager who insults guests, hides his gambling winnings from his wife and organizes an elaborate impersonation of her when his surprise anniversary party backfires.—
Rhett Bartlett,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Weddings are expensive, after all, and delaying the big honeymoon trip can help ease the blow by spreading out the cost.—
Jim Augerinos,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Oct. 2025
-
The Seacrest family has been dealt a devastating blow, Ryan Seacrest revealed on Friday morning.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The online education company, founded 20 years ago, has been hit by the rise of generative AI software tools, such as OpenAI's ChatGPT, which have become increasingly popular among students.—
Annie Palmer,
CNBC,
28 Oct. 2025
-
October 28, 2025 Ohtani hit his second home run of the night in the seventh inning to tie the matchup at five against the Toronto Blue Jays.—
Valentina Martinez,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
It was intentionally designed to provoke, to offend, and to remind us that bigotry is still alive and well in certain corners of local leadership.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Oct. 2025
-
While most scented soaps do a mediocre job of masking food smells with harsh, cheap fragrances, Naomi’s scrub neutralizes offending odors with bread-yeast enzymes, then leaves behind subtle, but incredibly luxurious notes of bergamot, black pepper, sandalwood, and ginger.—
Editors of Bon Appétit,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The result is that the sonic boom becomes a sonic thump of 60 dB to 80 dB, or about that of a car door closing for those on the ground.—
David Szondy
October 28,
New Atlas,
28 Oct. 2025
-
The Skullcandy Crusher Evo headphones are all about feeling every thump, and beat.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Cleveland says narcissists often disguise sarcasm as humor, slipping in cutting remarks about your intelligence, competence, or appearance but framing them as playful.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
-
While the track leans toward sarcasm, the soon-to-be-anthem perfectly captures a generational sentiment.—
Jessica Roiz,
Billboard,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Next, a 10,000-pound concrete-and-steel battering ram was used to punch 24-foot holes through the ice, beginning at the far end of the whales' four-mile path to freedom, so as not to alarm them.—
Virginia Chamlee,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Following her latest pic Christy bowing at AFI Fest last week, Sydney Sweeney is looking to deliver another knockout punch with an upcoming film, and partnering with an A-list director to help deliver the blow.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
28 Oct. 2025
Video
A Look at Uncommon Onomatopoeia
Some imitative words are more surprising than others
Cite this Entry
“Slap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slap. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share