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
Wait to dig the tubers until a killing freeze zaps all the foliage.
—
Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Oct. 2025
For some irony, given the licensing deal with Netflix, Korvo and Terry announce that the Solar Opposites are broke, with all of their moneymaking machines zapped.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2025
The injury zapped his effectiveness and left him scrambling to maintain his optimal level of production.
—Kansas City Star, 28 Sep. 2025
By around 1966, it was cleared from the US, and Mexico zapped the population in the 1980s.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for zap
Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Oct. 2025
For some irony, given the licensing deal with Netflix, Korvo and Terry announce that the Solar Opposites are broke, with all of their moneymaking machines zapped.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2025
The injury zapped his effectiveness and left him scrambling to maintain his optimal level of production.
—Kansas City Star, 28 Sep. 2025
By around 1966, it was cleared from the US, and Mexico zapped the population in the 1980s.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for zap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zap
Verb
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Fall boating can mean peaceful days on Arkansas' large reservoirs while many hunters begin to hit the woods instead of the water.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Oct. 2025
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Apple’s iPhone surge Shares of Apple surged 4% to hit a new record on Monday after a report of surprisingly strong sales of its new iPhone 17.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Owens — who was not armed — went to Lorincz’s home, knocked on the door multiple times and demanded that Lorincz come outside to settle the dispute.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
23 Oct. 2025
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The man tried to escape, but the group followed him, knocked him to the ground and continued attacking him before robbing him of his watch and shoes, prosecutors said.—
Jennifer Rodriguez,
Miami Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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However, Daulton Varsho, who has been another clutch Blue Jays hitter throughout the postseason, smacked a single to center to score Springer to knot the game at one apiece.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
21 Oct. 2025
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The two had a peculiar conversation where Hawkins said Clifton missed smacking her rear end.—
Craig Shoup,
Nashville Tennessean,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Payton lit into Moss on the sideline, slapping his clipboard, after the cornerback got a bit too handsy with Giants receiver Beaux Collins in the end zone.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
20 Oct. 2025
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Inside the all-glass DJ booth in the center of the room sits a rubber chicken for Steve (Joe Keery) to slap as a sound effect while Robin (Maya Hawke) spins records.—
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The student who Kamo’s son was initially trying to avoid began punching him.—
Silas Allen,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Oct. 2025
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Which American League powerhouse will punch a ticket to the World Series?—
Gabe Smallson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Deiseroth continued to yell and bang his head in the back of the car while Lane, Dorestant and Scibilia arranged for Deiseroth’s estranged wife to come down from Miami-Dade County to pick up the couple’s children, according to the footage and his arrest report.—
David Goodhue
October 24,
Miami Herald,
24 Oct. 2025
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Authorities said extra officers and detectives were patrolling the area Thursday when a resident near Angus Drive and the park called 911 shortly after midnight to report what police described as a loud, banging noise sounding from their vehicle and a figure standing next to the car.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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People hate on the Chiefs but here is the offense clapping along to a veteran being honored during their huddle.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
20 Oct. 2025
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The crowd in Santa Fe is a fun mix of old (opera) hats and first time attendees, and the crowd was engaged throughout the performance, clapping after a lot of the major numbers ended in a break from the tradition of waiting until the end of each act.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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On the other hand, an accumulation of those particles around the poles could throw out of whack the tropical monsoon system, the researchers explain.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
22 Oct. 2025
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One is a simple whack-a-mole game.—
Khaleda Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Zap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zap. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.
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