1
as in indictment
a formal claim of criminal wrongdoing against a person
the headlines in the paper today are all about the mayor facing an embezzlement rap
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Relevance
2
as in blow
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
the doctor used a little hammer to give me a rap on the knee to test my reflexes
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3
as in blame
responsibility for wrongdoing or failure
would sooner take the rap for the missing money than tell on his friend
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in chat
friendly, informal conversation or an instance of this
after our pickup softball game, I had a friendly rap with a couple of the guys in the park
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as in damn
the smallest amount or part imaginable
I don't care a rap about losing that old jacket
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1
as in to smack
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
a childhood memory of the time he got his knuckles rapped for trying to steal candy from the corner store
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2
as in to drum
to strike or cause to strike lightly and usually rhythmically
the impatient man was rapping his knuckles on the door, hoping to wake up the sleeping attendant
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as in to chat
to engage in casual or rambling conversation
the guys at the gym never seem to tire about rapping about basketball
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1
as in to entrance
to fill with overwhelming emotion (as wonder or delight)
concertgoers were utterly rapped by the power of Handel's oratorio
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2
as in to grab
to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly
suddenly the hawk swooped down and rapped the unwary rodent
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rap
Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 6 May 2025
Baltimore’s youth — like many urban youth across America — are heavily influenced by hip-hop and rap.
—S.t. Barnes, Baltimore Sun, 4 May 2025
Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
Mescal, who by the way has been known to rap, will lead a repertory company at the National’s Lyttelton Theatre in 2027.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rap
Noun
Just think of all the potential drill music, mumble rap, and synth wave that could ride GTA VI's in-game airwaves.
—Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 6 May 2025
Baltimore’s youth — like many urban youth across America — are heavily influenced by hip-hop and rap.
—S.t. Barnes, Baltimore Sun, 4 May 2025
Verb
At one point, from jail, Williams rapped to a nephew by phone.
—Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
Mescal, who by the way has been known to rap, will lead a repertory company at the National’s Lyttelton Theatre in 2027.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rap
Cite this Entry
“Rap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rap. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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