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
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Recent Examples of lapped
Ben East, Outdoor Life, 14 May 2026
Luna, the family’s Labradoodle, waddled in and lapped water from the bowl.
—Literary Hub, 12 May 2026
But it will also be lapped up by anyone who can remember the European package holidays of the 1970s.
—Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 11 May 2026
The river lapped through sand behind me.
—Matt Crossman, Midwest Living, 14 Apr. 2026
Gilliland qualified 35th and was lapped early, but steadily progressed into the top 15.
—Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2026
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
Verb
The rising water lapped at the wheels of the plane.
—Ben East, Outdoor Life, 14 May 2026
Luna, the family’s Labradoodle, waddled in and lapped water from the bowl.
—Literary Hub, 12 May 2026
But it will also be lapped up by anyone who can remember the European package holidays of the 1970s.
—Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 11 May 2026
The river lapped through sand behind me.
—Matt Crossman, Midwest Living, 14 Apr. 2026
Gilliland qualified 35th and was lapped early, but steadily progressed into the top 15.
—Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lapped
Verb
-
However, the wearer of these Saman Amel shorts should have greater leeway, thanks to their longer length, straight-leg silhouette, and fluid washed silk fabric.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
23 May 2026
-
Meanwhile, her subtle smoky eye, washed liner and clumpy lashes embellished the moody undertones of her fashion, while her naked nails and rosy lips added a minimal twist.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
Below me, the Pacific Ocean splashed and sprayed off dramatic rock outcrops.—
Moira McCarthy,
Boston Herald,
28 May 2026
-
During a recent Tuesday-morning visit, two sunbathers dangled their legs in the outdoor roof pool, while a staycationing couple and their little son splashed in the water nearby.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
Within hours of the shooting that rippled across Southern California’s Muslim community, Abdullah’s picture had been circulated and reposted thousands of times.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2026
-
The impact of the large employer and community beacon rippled as the city faced a period of economic struggle.—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Defne knew her peripherally, because their areas overlapped.—
Ayşegül Savaş,
New Yorker,
24 May 2026
-
Akers’ and Tanner’s spaceflight careers overlapped by five years and included four missions each.—
Robert Pearlman,
ArsTechnica,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
Leaning into sports tropes, Sluggers’ best-selling product is its five-pack of pre-rolls in a tin wrapped in a metallic mylar bag like the kind collectible sports cards come in.—
Will Yakowicz,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2026
-
The film, starring Aaron Paul and Bryce Dallas Howard, recently wrapped production; a release date hasn’t been set.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
Stand-out main courses include the New York strip steak served with a textural Spanish potato tortilla, and the sea trout bathed in a light cream sauce.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 May 2026
-
Revealed earlier this year, the interior is a celebration of tactility, from its solid metal switchgear and analogue dials, to its simplistic, almost retro steering wheel and plush leather upholstery bathed in ambient lighting.—
Alistair Charlton,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
The Rangers were marching toward that goal when conflict bubbled back to the surface.—
Vincent Z. Mercogliano,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
-
Our blind taste test deduced which flavored fizzes bubbled up to the top.—
Emily Heil,
Washington Post,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Still, Henry’s late-season surge was not enough to get the Ravens into the playoffs and prevent the seismic change that enveloped the organization about 36 hours into the offseason when 18-year head coach John Harbaugh was fired.—
Jeff Zrebiec,
New York Times,
25 May 2026
-
In the dark, predawn hours of December 3, 1984, a dense cloud of poisonous gas leaked from a pesticide plant and, borne on a soft, northern wind, enveloped Bhopal, a city in central India.—
Taran Dugal,
New Yorker,
23 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lapped.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lapped. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
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