LAPPING Synonyms: 83 Similar and Opposite Words

lapping 1 of 3

noun

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

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lapping

2 of 3

verb (1)

present participle of lap

as in washing

to flow along or against the waves gently lapped the sandy shore

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as in splashing

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

as in rippling

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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lapping

3 of 3

verb (2)

present participle of lap

as in overlapping

to lie over parts of one another the armadillo's plates lap tightly so as to form a protective shield

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as in wrapping

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 lapping

Noun

Keep going down to the little beach, where two paddleboards and a handful of beach loungers (the good kind, made of fabric and with a footrest) sit at the gentle lapping edge of the sound. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Aug. 2026 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 July 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

Verb

Prototypes of the electric 718 have been lapping the ‘ring for years now (see the video below). — Byron Hurd, The Drive, 10 Sep. 2026 The overwater bungalows are pretty special, hovering over lapping waves where guests can stay in total peace and solitude. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026 But with Russell 11 seconds behind Norris and Antonelli lapping faster, Mercedes ordered a position swap, sacrificing Russell’s potential points gain. — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026 Their own basement is flooded, and to keep out the water lapping at their front door, Keller let his dogs out through the window onto a makeshift metal dock. — Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 14 Aug. 2026 To the tune of softly lapping waves, The Inn at Langley revealed its cards slowly in the way quiet luxury tends to do. — Katie Nanton, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2026 As her words came out, smoke billowed from her body, filling her clothes, lapping out around her feet in rings. — Gabriel Winslow-Yost, New Yorker, 30 July 2026 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 The result is that while readers have continued lapping up Mating in Captivity, Americans have broadly become worse at taking Perel’s advice. — Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lapping

Noun

The schedule change means there will be no overlap with the WNBA schedule as the league’s footprint continues to expand.

— Annie Costabile, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2026
Creative circles that might feel siloed elsewhere naturally overlap here.

— Michael Anthony Hall, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of overlap

Verb

Now, to the handwashing shortcomings, such as a cashier handling customer’s payment, then preparing drinks and serving plates of food to customers without washing hands (cash and payment cards tend to be germ motherships).

— David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2026
In a single-person household, washing your bath mat every one to two weeks is typically sufficient.

— Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of washing

Verb

The video begins with Meghan and Harry walking hand-in-hand outdoors before transitioning to several family moments, including a child warming their feet by a fireplace and Meghan wearing rain boots while splashing through a muddy puddle.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026
Another clip showed Meghan splashing in a muddy puddle before shifting to footage of Princess Lilibet riding a bike.

— Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of splashing

Verb

The piano part gurgles like the waters with a rippling right-hand figure in sextuplets.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026
The red metal is a critical part of industry and construction, and its ascent to record highs could send higher prices rippling through to businesses.

— John Towfighi, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of rippling

Verb

Research has shown that long hours, additional shifts, and overlapping work tasks can shorten a project’s timeline—but only to a point.

— Janay Kingsberry, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2026
Before buying an extended warranty, check how much time and mileage remain on your manufacturer's warranty to avoid paying for overlapping coverage.

— Brian Sloan, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of overlapping

Verb

Most recently wrapping a lead role opposite Sam Rockwell in The Cackling of the Dodos, a Netflix crime flick helmed by Jason Bateman, he is represented by 7 Deuce Entertainment and Ziffren Brittenham.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 14 Sep. 2026
Speculation has been rampant that Oasis was slated for another round of live dates after wrapping their 2025 tour at London’s Wembley Stadium.

— Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of wrapping

Verb

There is virtually no running water, and two million people are bathing in the ocean.

— Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026
The famed Big 5 (elephants, buffalos, leopards, rhinos, and lions) are all easily spotted in these lands, but the diverse habitats provide opportunities for different behavioral sightings, from feeding to bathing and mating.

— Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Aug. 2026