as in overlap
a partial covering of one thing by an adjoining member
the lapping of the roofing shingles should be several inches in order to avoid leaks
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
2
as in splashing
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 overlapping
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 wrapping
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
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Recent Examples of lapping
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
13 May 2026
From my perch on a sun lounger, Friendship Bay stretches out below me – the curve of the powdery sand beach, the impossible blue of the sea and the calming lapping of the waves against the shore.
—
Rebekah Evans,
TheWeek,
5 Feb. 2026
As Amanyara’s resident wellness expert guided me through a sound healing session and harmonized the vibrations of a Tibetan singing bowl, the lapping of the ocean waves seemed to still.
—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
When the lapping reaches your knees, start to worry.
—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
22 Dec. 2025
The lapping of the sea at our language is not a difficult concept to fathom.
—
Adrian Vore,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Sep. 2025
So following it up with a powder-soft beach—the lapping of a warm Indian ocean acting as your evening lullaby—is a pretty perfect ending.
—
Pippa De Bruyn,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Aug. 2025
Chris Dolce,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
Rock Harbor to Daisy Farm Campground This trail almost entirely follows the coast for 7 miles, with a soundtrack of lapping waves, trilling loons, and the occasional outboard motor.
—
Robert Annis,
Midwest Living,
7 June 2026
The windows in the treatment rooms offer floor-to-ceiling views of the lake and the soundtrack of water lapping up against old stone columns.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
The company’s massive collections of individual data and market-lapping algorithms means the company didn’t need to program to tastes, never mind build an audience.
—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
18 May 2026
Cassie’s OnlyFans journey begins with her making content posing as a dog, replete with dog ears, collar, leash, wrist cuffs, tail, and a satin corset from Sweeney’s lingerie line SYRN, bending over and lapping up water from a bowl on the ground.
—
Marlow Stern,
Variety,
10 May 2026
With azure water lapping sandy beaches, lazy days spent frolicking in Lake Maggiore are a huge draw.
—
Lisa Kadane,
Travel + Leisure,
1 May 2026
The lapping waves that arrive shortly thereafter are an alarming detour, but their presence quickly feels normal.
—
Joshua Minsoo Kim,
Pitchfork,
28 Apr. 2026
The Great Lakes boast some of America's niftiest beach areas—and yes, there are actually waves lapping the shore at this Midwest family vacation destination.
—
Kara Williams,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
The Wave percale sheets are guaranteed to lull you to sleep, like you’re being rocked by the gentle lapping of the ocean.
—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
13 May 2026
From my perch on a sun lounger, Friendship Bay stretches out below me – the curve of the powdery sand beach, the impossible blue of the sea and the calming lapping of the waves against the shore.
—
Rebekah Evans,
TheWeek,
5 Feb. 2026
As Amanyara’s resident wellness expert guided me through a sound healing session and harmonized the vibrations of a Tibetan singing bowl, the lapping of the ocean waves seemed to still.
—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
When the lapping reaches your knees, start to worry.
—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
22 Dec. 2025
The lapping of the sea at our language is not a difficult concept to fathom.
—
Adrian Vore,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Sep. 2025
So following it up with a powder-soft beach—the lapping of a warm Indian ocean acting as your evening lullaby—is a pretty perfect ending.
—
Pippa De Bruyn,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
In Houston, some drivers were up to their trailer hitches in lapping waters, while photos from Waco, Texas, showed roadways washed away by the storms.
—
Chris Dolce,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
Rock Harbor to Daisy Farm Campground This trail almost entirely follows the coast for 7 miles, with a soundtrack of lapping waves, trilling loons, and the occasional outboard motor.
—
Robert Annis,
Midwest Living,
7 June 2026
The windows in the treatment rooms offer floor-to-ceiling views of the lake and the soundtrack of water lapping up against old stone columns.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
The company’s massive collections of individual data and market-lapping algorithms means the company didn’t need to program to tastes, never mind build an audience.
—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
18 May 2026
Cassie’s OnlyFans journey begins with her making content posing as a dog, replete with dog ears, collar, leash, wrist cuffs, tail, and a satin corset from Sweeney’s lingerie line SYRN, bending over and lapping up water from a bowl on the ground.
—
Marlow Stern,
Variety,
10 May 2026
With azure water lapping sandy beaches, lazy days spent frolicking in Lake Maggiore are a huge draw.
—
Lisa Kadane,
Travel + Leisure,
1 May 2026
The lapping waves that arrive shortly thereafter are an alarming detour, but their presence quickly feels normal.
—
Joshua Minsoo Kim,
Pitchfork,
28 Apr. 2026
The Great Lakes boast some of America's niftiest beach areas—and yes, there are actually waves lapping the shore at this Midwest family vacation destination.
—
Kara Williams,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lapping
Noun
-
That overlap stays suggestive rather than proven, and the honest move is to keep watching it rather than hand either side of the argument an early win.
-
That Cena and André are so good together is all the more striking in a movie that affords them such infrequent overlap.
Verb
-
Add the sheets to the dryer immediately after washing to prevent mildew—don't let damp sheets sit in the machine.
-
After the father left the family, Nan Blyth supported herself and two daughters by washing clothes and working in beauty parlors.
Verb
-
Canal Saint Martin in Paris drew throngs Sunday splashing and diving off a bridge, despite authorities’ attempts to control the crowds.
-
If your idea of a bucket-list trip includes your furry friend digging holes in the sand and splashing around in the surf, then add Rehoboth Beach to the top of your list.
Verb
-
Prairie grasses and bonnet strings whip in the wind as the creak of wagon wheels carries across the rippling grassland.
-
The revenue hit is only the visible half of the story; the same pullback is rippling upstream, into the fields, feedlots, and water tables that supply all that food.
Verb
-
But Ellis warned Bolivia remains trapped in multiple overlapping crises.
-
After a fracture, the body moves through overlapping stages of repair that include inflammation, formation of new tissue and, later, remodeling of the repaired area.
Verb
-
The Truck was actually designed with wrapping it front of mind, explaining the boxy shape.
-
With Endgame's story wrapping here, attention is already turning to the next Call of Duty, Modern Warfare 4.
Verb
-
Guests can try their hand at rice planting or bathing the resident water buffalo (a pampered pink-and-black pair).
-
Authorities say the fish have not been sighted in bathing areas at Greek island resorts.
Verb
-
Just one week since launch, business is bubbling up organically.
-
But even with the multitude of quantum projects bubbling up around the country, those involved in the Connecticut effort are optimistic.
Cite this Entry
“Lapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lapping. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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