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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of zap
The results of this recent experiment are strikingly similar (pun intended) to a 1952 experiment by University of Chicago chemists Stanley Miller and Harold Urey, who zapped a bottle of water vapor, methane, ammonia, and hydrogen gas with an electrical spark and got amino acids.
—
Kiona N. Smith, Space.com, 19 Mar. 2025
Perfect example: remember in December, when the ‘Core Four’ was available for the first time since Nov. 26, 2023, and the excitement quickly got zapped when Miller sprained his right ankle in the fourth quarter and couldn’t finish the game?
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 16 Apr. 2025
Therapie Clinic has bright, stylish and clean locations to zap away any unwanted hair for good.
—Rana Good, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Upon hearing the truth, Kevin drags his son out of the container, gives him an earful of expletives, and zaps him with a taser baton.
—Matt Cabral, EW.com, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for zap
Kiona N. Smith, Space.com, 19 Mar. 2025
Perfect example: remember in December, when the ‘Core Four’ was available for the first time since Nov. 26, 2023, and the excitement quickly got zapped when Miller sprained his right ankle in the fourth quarter and couldn’t finish the game?
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 16 Apr. 2025
Therapie Clinic has bright, stylish and clean locations to zap away any unwanted hair for good.
—Rana Good, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Upon hearing the truth, Kevin drags his son out of the container, gives him an earful of expletives, and zaps him with a taser baton.
—Matt Cabral, EW.com, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for zap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zap
Verb
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Prosecutors say Read deliberately hit O’Keefe, 46, outside the home a fellow cop and left him for dead in a drunken rage.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
14 May 2025
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Here’s what has changed: The Chiefs separated their project from the Royals’ plans for a new ballpark that asked voters to hit a moving target in April 2024.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
13 May 2025
Verb
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Amid the fighting, one boy punched another in the face, knocking him to the ground, and then began punching several other children.—
Lesley Cosme Torres,
People.com,
14 May 2025
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Remember, as little as 6 inches of moving water can knock you off your feet.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
14 May 2025
Verb
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He was considered a pioneer of hardcore wrestling, slamming opponents through tables and smacking them with chairs.—
Joseph Wilkinson,
New York Daily News,
12 May 2025
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Lemont 22-3-1 (5) Rocco Luciano smacks two-run double to spark Lemont to 5-0 win over Lincoln-Way West. 4.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
12 May 2025
Verb
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Honda’s results come amid trade tensions with the U.S., which has slapped a 25% tariff on foreign automobile imports.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
13 May 2025
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Trump has made clear that his shock plans to slap a 100% tariff on film imports would not be included in a trade deal with the UK, where Pryce films Slow Horses.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
11 May 2025
Verb
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The Panthers can punch with anyone, if this series comes to that.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
12 May 2025
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All three have at least one title, too, and the power four has punched three Final Four tickets in the last two state tournaments.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2025
Verb
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Protesters thronged the streets, banging pots and pans.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
10 May 2025
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One of Butler’s neighbors shared home surveillance footage with the outlet that shows the three teens going up to Butler’s home and not only ringing the doorbell but banging, kicking and slamming on a garage door.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2025
Verb
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Garnish with a mint sprig, clapped gently between your hands to release the oils.—
Jason O'Bryan,
Robb Report,
10 May 2025
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Old-timers from the neighborhood sit around reading or gossiping, clapping along to whatever music is playing on the system, often at volumes so loud that Coopersmith and his guys have to shout to each other while pricing records.—
Shauna Lyon,
New Yorker,
9 May 2025
Verb
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But to whack a cricket ball, delivered sometimes at high speeds over 90 mph by the craftiest bowlers on the planet, high into the sky and into the terraces, requires a combination of incredible strength, hand-eye coordination and bat speed.—
Tristan Lavalette,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
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But, forecasters say, the more storms that form the higher the likelihood gets that someone gets whacked.—
Alex Harris,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Zap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zap. Accessed 18 May. 2025.
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