lap 1 of 3

Definition of lapnext
as in leg
a portion of a trip we were on the last lap of the journey, eagerly heading for home

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lap

2 of 3

verb (1)

1
as in to wash
to flow along or against the waves gently lapped the sandy shore

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2
as in to splash
to flow in a broken irregular stream the creek lapped along through the ravine before collecting in the pond

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in to ripple
to move with a splashing motion a stiff breeze that was causing the lake waters to lap against the hull with some force

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lap

3 of 3

verb (2)

1
as in to overlap
to lie over parts of one another the armadillo's plates lap tightly so as to form a protective shield

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2

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 lap
Noun
Boise City Aquatic Center at 5959 North Discovery Way offers a kiddie pool, a warm pool, a slide and a lap pool with set lanes and an open section. Hali Smith june 2, Idaho Statesman, 2 June 2026 One black-and-white photo shows Lipa sharing a kiss with Turner, 36, while sitting on his lap. Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026
Verb
Is that why McLaren couldn’t/didn’t tell the drivers to pit at the end of one of the various formation laps? Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 27 May 2026 Brack led 66 laps in 1999, Rosenqvist 25 laps on May 24 and Ericsson 13 laps in 2022. Bruce Martin, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for lap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lap
Noun
  • Spurs reserve Harrison Barnes accidentally collided with Brunson's right knee while falling to the floor, and the Knicks star immediately grabbed at the leg in apparent pain.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 4 June 2026
  • Futures tied to the broad market index and Nasdaq 100 are taking another leg down this morning, led lower by chipmakers.
    Alex Harring, CNBC, 4 June 2026
Verb
  • Local organizations aim to preserve the lake’s pristine condition through monitoring, boat-washing stations, and other initiatives that minimize the impact of waste and control the spread of invasive species.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026
  • Here, fabric care and pediatric experts share their best tips for washing baby and toddler clothing and bedding safely.
    Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 2 June 2026
Verb
  • Grown-ups bring a ladder to climb into the enormous fruit, kids gather up their inflatable toys, someone makes a waterslide out of a piece of rind, and the whole community spends the day splashing in the juice and pulp (being careful to remove the seeds first).
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 June 2026
  • Play resumed after a 15-minute delay with water slowing the ball and splashing up from puddles with every tackle.
    ABC News, ABC News, 31 May 2026
Verb
  • The angel wore a trim charcoal Borsalino with a tiny bouquet of songbird feathers and a scarlet paisley scarf that rippled in the breeze.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 June 2026
  • When a handful of varieties dominate global agriculture, a single disease, pest outbreak or weather event can ripple through the food supply in ways that are difficult to absorb.
    Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 June 2026
Verb
  • The South Caucasus has become an arena of overlapping geoeconomic competition among the United States, Russia, China, and Iran.
    Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
  • China claims almost all of the sea, including areas that overlap with exclusive economic zones from countries like the Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia, and has been building out structures on some shoals in recent years to bolster its claims.
    Joanna Ossinger, CNBC, 30 May 2026
Verb
  • She was wrapped in a blanket in her favorite chair.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 June 2026
  • The rooms Each of the 40 villas and suites are bright and airy with high ceilings, some with wide-frame views out to the lapping blue sea, others wrapped in a tropical garden.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Verb
  • Utilized in treatments and in the decor, gold is all around, and to be bathed in it is quite the indulgence.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 June 2026
  • Ng'ikalei Loito, 33, was bathing in just such an area when she was attacked by a crocodile.
    Tommy Trenchard, NPR, 31 May 2026
Verb
  • Money tensions, or themes around intimacy and control could bubble up.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 4 June 2026
  • Then, the monotony of the cave’s silence was broken by the sound of splashing as two divers with headlamps bubbled up from beneath the water.
    Janis Mackey Frayer, NBC news, 4 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Lap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lap. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.

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