Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

lap

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of lap

a portion of a trip

  • we were on the last lap of the journey, eagerly heading for home
Synonyms of lap

leg, stage
Words Related to lap

layover, stopover

1

lap

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of lap

1 to flow along or against

  • the waves gently lapped the sandy shore
Synonyms of lap

bathe, lave, lip, splash, wash
Words Related to lap

bubble, gurgle, plash, ripple, slosh

2 to flow in a broken irregular stream

  • the creek lapped along through the ravine before collecting in the pond
Synonyms of lap

bubble, dribble, guggle, gurgle, plash, ripple, splash, trickle, wash
Words Related to lap

eddy, purl, swirl

swash, swish, swoosh, whish

drip, drop

gush, jet, rush, spew, spout, spurt, squirt
Near Antonyms of lap

run
Antonyms of lap

pour, roll, stream

3 to move with a splashing motion

  • a stiff breeze that was causing the lake waters to lap against the hull with some force
Synonyms of lap

plash, slosh, splash, swash
Words Related to lap

babble, bubble, gurgle, ripple

2

lap

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of lap

1 to lie over parts of one another

  • the armadilloʼs plates lap tightly so as to form a protective shield
Synonyms of lap

overlap, overlay, overlie, overspread
Words Related to lap

shingle

2 to surround or cover closely

  • this recording of the symphony is sure to lap listeners in stereophonic bliss
Synonyms of lap

bosom, bower, circumfuse, cocoon, embosom, embower, embrace, enclose (also inclose), encompass, enfold, enshroud, enswathe, envelop, enwrap, invest, involve, mantle, muffle, shroud, swathe, veil, wrap
Words Related to lap

curtain, drape

embed (also imbed), encase

swaddle

blanket, overlay, overspread

camouflage, cloak, disguise, mask

circle, encircle, enlace, enwind
Near Antonyms of lap

bare, denude, expose, strip

Learn More about lap

  1. See words that rhyme with lap Dictionary: Definition of lap Medical Dictionary: Definition of lap Spanish Central: Translation of lap Nglish: Translation of lap for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of lap for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lap

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up lap? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games