lap 1 of 3

noun

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
as in to wrap
to surround or cover closely this recording of the symphony is sure to lap listeners in stereophonic bliss

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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 lap
Noun
And everyone is provided with a silk bathrobe, a lap towel and custom leather seat cushions that are cleaned after service. — Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 1 Aug. 2026 IndyCar's future took its first laps at Indianapolis Motor Speedway as Alexander Rossi piloted the new IR-28, set for 2028 competition. — Bruce Martin, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Verb
The cries of seagulls, water lapping against the boat, the rumble of engines and the arrival of speedboats ferrying cast and crew give the sense of sharing the actors’ long waits on the open water. — Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026 Two laps later, Verstappen made a late move under braking, diving past the Ferrari at Turn 1. — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for lap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lap
  1. leg
  2. wash
  3. splash
  4. ripple
  5. overlap
  6. wrap
  7. bathe
  8. bubble
Noun
  • He had been shot at least five times – in his right arm, his left leg, his right foot, and twice in his abdomen, said Constance DiAngelo, a forensic pathologist who reviewed funeral home photographs of Beloozerov’s body at CNN’s request.
    — Isabelle Chapman, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Circumstances leading up to the shooting are still under investigation, but deputies said that a man was shot in the leg.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of leg
Verb
  • People should immediately wash cuts and scrapes thoroughly with soap and clean running water after coming in contact with coastal waters or raw seafood, the CDC said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
  • People can protect themselves by washing their hands, washing produce, cooking and heating produce and avoid eating raw foods and unpasteurized milk.
    — Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of wash
Verb
  • Brighton splashed £30million on then 18-year-old Kostoulas from Olympiacos in his homeland during last year’s summer window.
    — Andy Naylor, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Emily in Paris chronicles the birth of an influencer, regularly splashing Emily’s Instagram posts and growing follower count across the screen.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of splash
Verb
  • The effects of weather disruptions ripple through regional supply chains, affecting everything from aviation and manufacturing to insurance and public health.
    — Karryl Kim Sagun Trajano, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2026
  • One analysis projects the coming wave could mint more than 16,000 new millionaires and roughly 20 billionaires—a wealth-creation event already beginning to ripple through the world’s most rarefied property markets.
    — Natalie Hoberman, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of ripple
Verb
  • The dogs have since become central to helping bears and people coexist in places like Lake Tahoe, where development increasingly overlaps with bear habitats.
    — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The grand jury indictment states that Shakur’s killing was the result of two overlapping, long-running feuds.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of overlap
Verb
  • The chain replaced its soft bun with a more sturdier version, changed the recipe for its mayonnaise and now serves it in a box instead of wrapped in paper.
    — Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Docker moved in a different direction with its MCP Catalog and Toolkit, containerizing servers and wrapping them in secret management, policy enforcement and audit logging.
    — Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of wrap
Verb
  • Birds are attracted to just about any water source, but most appreciate a shallow basin for bathing.
    — Savanna Bous, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Another dish to look out for is the seared tuna ($44), bathed in a delectable coconut and brown-butter sauce that’s paired with Jimmy Nardello peppers that look spicy but simply offer a fresh crunch.
    — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of bathe
Verb
  • The broiling temperatures released toxic gases and hazardous liquid waste that bubbled up to the surface.
    — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026
  • After a late night meal at an Indian restaurant followed by a nightcap at the crew's favorite Italian restaurant, a season's worth of suspicions comes bubbling up for Tony in the form of a violent episode of food poisoning.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of bubble

Phrases Containing lap

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lanyards
lap
lapdog
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Cite this Entry

“Lap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lap. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on lap

Nglish: Translation of lap for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lap

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