1
2
as in splashed
to flow in a broken irregular stream
the creek lapped along through the ravine before collecting in the pond
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in overlapped
to lie over parts of one another
the armadillo's plates lap tightly so as to form a protective shield
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in wrapped
to surround or cover closely
this recording of the symphony is sure to lap listeners in stereophonic bliss
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 lapped
Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 7 Mar. 2026
The Rams’ tight end room underwent a renaissance in 2025, with the team featuring three-tight end sets – or 13-personnel – at a rate that lapped the rest of the NFL.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 6 Mar. 2026
Hollywood creates silver screen narratives adored by the world, but its institution for visual art was getting lapped by smaller cities.
—Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 6 Mar. 2026
Five skiers, including Iivo Niskanen of Finland and Harald Oestberg Amundsen of Norway, dropped out of the race and 14 competitors were lapped.
—Brian Melley, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026
The line of people waiting eagerly to walk dogs lapped the shelter’s parking lot and stretched to the street.
—Hannah Elsmore, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026
And yet, they were totally lapped up by the investors and the press.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 15 Feb. 2026
Ward gives a softly wrenching performance as the protective but roilingly envious Harry, whose own musical dreams were lapped by his brother’s talent, and who must eventually admit the limits of his influence.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Mozambique's coast and its islands are fringed with long, powdery stretches of sand and lapped by warm Indian Ocean waters.
—Lisa Grainger, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
Here, travelers will find white-sand beaches lapped by turquoise waters.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 7 Mar. 2026
The Rams’ tight end room underwent a renaissance in 2025, with the team featuring three-tight end sets – or 13-personnel – at a rate that lapped the rest of the NFL.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 6 Mar. 2026
Hollywood creates silver screen narratives adored by the world, but its institution for visual art was getting lapped by smaller cities.
—Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 6 Mar. 2026
Five skiers, including Iivo Niskanen of Finland and Harald Oestberg Amundsen of Norway, dropped out of the race and 14 competitors were lapped.
—Brian Melley, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026
The line of people waiting eagerly to walk dogs lapped the shelter’s parking lot and stretched to the street.
—Hannah Elsmore, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026
And yet, they were totally lapped up by the investors and the press.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 15 Feb. 2026
Ward gives a softly wrenching performance as the protective but roilingly envious Harry, whose own musical dreams were lapped by his brother’s talent, and who must eventually admit the limits of his influence.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Mozambique's coast and its islands are fringed with long, powdery stretches of sand and lapped by warm Indian Ocean waters.
—Lisa Grainger, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lapped.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lapped. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
