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
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Recent Examples of lapping
Adrian Vore, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Sep. 2025
Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2025
Rice was lapping the entire league.
—Sam McDowell 17, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2025
Diners at waterfront tables at restaurants along the Miami River had water lapping at their feet.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2025
Your narcissistic side is really lapping it up, but also the humble side, or the fake humble side, is like, ‘Oh no.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Oct. 2025
Sea views pour into the main deck too, where a silvery metal ceiling ripples with the tactility of lapping waves.
—Tristan Rutherford, Robb Report, 26 Sep. 2025
With azure water lapping sandy beaches, lazy days spent frolicking in Lake Maggiore are a huge draw.
—Lisa Kadane, Travel + Leisure, 22 Sep. 2025
Chevy’s confidence in the ZR1 also felt a bit more palpable, as proven by a previous media launch held earlier this year that featured almost unlimited lapping throughout a hot day at the United States’ premier Formula One track, the Circuit of the Americas.
—Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
The dachshund, named Cannoli, was captured racing at high speed from his home's entrance to the couch his owner Sarah was seated on, before jumping on top of her and lapping up plenty of attention.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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
The sight of hundreds of tiny turtle hatchlings toddling their way down to the lapping ocean waves is the surest way to take your breath away.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2025
Rice was lapping the entire league.
—Sam McDowell 17, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2025
Diners at waterfront tables at restaurants along the Miami River had water lapping at their feet.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2025
Your narcissistic side is really lapping it up, but also the humble side, or the fake humble side, is like, ‘Oh no.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Oct. 2025
Sea views pour into the main deck too, where a silvery metal ceiling ripples with the tactility of lapping waves.
—Tristan Rutherford, Robb Report, 26 Sep. 2025
With azure water lapping sandy beaches, lazy days spent frolicking in Lake Maggiore are a huge draw.
—Lisa Kadane, Travel + Leisure, 22 Sep. 2025
Chevy’s confidence in the ZR1 also felt a bit more palpable, as proven by a previous media launch held earlier this year that featured almost unlimited lapping throughout a hot day at the United States’ premier Formula One track, the Circuit of the Americas.
—Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
The dachshund, named Cannoli, was captured racing at high speed from his home's entrance to the couch his owner Sarah was seated on, before jumping on top of her and lapping up plenty of attention.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lapping
overlap
Noun
-
This came after Nick Saban jokingly scolded himself for not fielding Sayin during their weeks-long overlap in 2023’s postseason at Alabama.—
Alex Kirshner,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
-
What really stood out, though, were the overlaps.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lapping. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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