LAPS Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

laps 1 of 3

noun

plural of lap

as in legs

a portion of a trip we were on the last lap of the journey, eagerly heading for home

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

laps

2 of 3

verb (1)

present tense third-person singular of lap

as in washes

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in splashes

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

as in ripples

to move with a splashing motion a stiff breeze that was causing the lake waters to lap against the hull with some force

Synonyms & Similar Words

laps

3 of 3

verb (2)

present tense third-person singular of lap

as in overlaps

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in wraps

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 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 laps

Noun

Amenities and experiences The multiple pools (including a 75-foot-long one, perfect for swimming laps) and the hotel’s location across from the beach are obvious perks for swimmers and sun-seekers. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 July 2026 This time, Antonelli was on course to catch Charles Leclerc with a few laps left and move 55 points clear in the standings in his pursuit of his first title. — Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 7 July 2026 Briscoe came out of the pits with the lead with 42 laps to go and never relinquished it despite a strong push from Bell. — Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2026 But Hamilton still finished second, and less than 3 seconds back after 17 laps. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 6 July 2026 Chase Briscoe won for the first time in 2026, holding on for dear life over the final few laps because Christopher Bell was . — Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2026 Current championship leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli settled for third place after a couple of mistakes in the first opening laps, now holding a 40-point cushion over his teammate. — Yara Elshebiny, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

Verb

Adult cats that haven’t nursed in over a decade will still knead blankets, laps and each other, with no milk anywhere in the picture. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026 Trump’s announcement took some off guard and upended the housing victory laps lawmakers had planned. — Cq Roll Call, Boston Herald, 24 June 2026 Wolhers and her daughter were among the 65 people walking laps around the one-third-mile path Saturday at Hinkston Park in the park district’s annual Go Waukegan walk series designed for the purpose that Rachel Wolhers sought. — Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2026 The service already laps all its competitors in TV viewing time. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 31 May 2026 But three laps before the end, a conrod failure destroyed his engine. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 29 May 2026 Is that why McLaren couldn’t/didn’t tell the drivers to pit at the end of one of the various formation laps? — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 27 May 2026 Activities like big-game fishing, snorkeling with manta rays in nearby Hanifaru Bay, cooking classes, sunrise yoga, and afternoon massages are just some of the options available to guests in between dips in the ocean and laps in the pool. — Katie Lockhart, Travel + Leisure, 28 Apr. 2026 Hammond High didn’t have a track, so afternoon workouts were done at a track at a nearby junior high or laps around a 3/4-mile loop at Maywood Park. — Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for laps

Noun

The Beltline offers both a glorious and frustrating mix of crowds and alternating speeds — an awkward mixture of wheels and legs.

— Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 5 July 2026
The good news is that a few simple aftercare steps can make all the difference, starting with knowing what to put on your legs after shaving.

— Emma-Jade Stoddart, Glamour, 5 July 2026

Definition of legs

Verb

Brunello Cucinelli kept fits classic (straight legs, slight cuffs) and washes light.

— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 8 July 2026
The vacuum and mop combo is a hands-free robot that auto-empties dirt into a 3-liter bag, self-washes the mop rollers, and auto-refills the water chamber for the next cleaning session.

— Carlos Mejia, PC Magazine, 26 June 2026

Definition of washes

Verb

Zero Mostel, as Max Bialystock, then splashes a glass of water at Bloom to snap him out of it.

— Adrienne LaFrance, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026
Arthur also pulled together five quieter, more sensory-friendly options in the Charlotte area — including Birkdale Village’s annual midday block party and bike parade, where the Huntersville Fire Department traditionally splashes the crowd before the festivities.

— Melissa Oyler, Charlotte Observer, 26 June 2026

Definition of splashes

Verb

That lag — measured in months — eventually ripples into AI server buildout, consumer electronics, and automotive chips.

— Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
The feature, starring Birgit Minichmayr, Lotte Keiling, Tristan López, and Carla Hüttermann, follows a family on summer holiday that are struck by a tragedy that ripples through their lives and relationships.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026

Definition of ripples

Verb

That means defining how and when to see the lights themselves, and how our aurora season overlaps with the polar bears and belugas.

— Cody Chomiak, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
That nine year window overlaps almost exactly with the stretch when treatment offers the most protection for brain health, so the delay carries real cost.

— Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2026

Definition of overlaps

Verb

While every room has a private pool with amazing views, don’t miss the resort’s stunning main pool that wraps around a central garden.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026
The deal that puts a brand in 4,000 stores gets its final validation not in a boardroom but in a line that wraps around a booth in New Orleans.

— Jasmine Browley, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of wraps

Browse Nearby Words

lapping (up)

laps

lapse

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Laps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laps. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of laps

noun

verb (1)

verb (2)

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on laps

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

obdurate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 17

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes