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
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
Where Robertson is getting involved has also changed, with more possession in the half-space channels due to Slot’s preference for his full-backs to make under-lapping runs rather than staying out on the touchline.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjacent neighborhoods in that area, as well as those west of the Turnpike and south of Plantation, could have sea water lapping into backyards on normal high tides.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2025
Merchandise margin decreased 150 basis points versus last year, primarily driven by lapping the benefit of incremental sales in the second quarter of fiscal 2024 relating to the company’s revenue-sharing agreement with its credit card partners.
—David Moin, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
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
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
Where Robertson is getting involved has also changed, with more possession in the half-space channels due to Slot’s preference for his full-backs to make under-lapping runs rather than staying out on the touchline.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjacent neighborhoods in that area, as well as those west of the Turnpike and south of Plantation, could have sea water lapping into backyards on normal high tides.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2025
Merchandise margin decreased 150 basis points versus last year, primarily driven by lapping the benefit of incremental sales in the second quarter of fiscal 2024 relating to the company’s revenue-sharing agreement with its credit card partners.
—David Moin, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lapping
overlap
Noun
-
Talks for the second round of Medicare negotiations under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) are also scheduled to end next week, and while the impact of that action is more delayed, there are areas of overlap.—
Joseph Choi,
The Hill,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Did these sounds overlap at all?—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lapping. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
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