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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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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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 hit
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rap
Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2026
Since the 1980s, rap lyrics have been introduced in more than 820 criminal cases across the country, according to researchers who have studied the practice.
—Ivan J. Bates, Baltimore Sun, 4 Apr. 2026
Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 31 Mar. 2026
Past guest stars on Celebrity Substitute, which is hosted by Julian Shapiro-Barnum, include A$AP Rocky who taught a fourth grade class how to rap; Kehlani, who gave 8-year-olds a crash course in R&B; and Billie Eilish and Finneas, who wrote a song with their students.
—Annie Harrigan, Billboard, 31 Mar. 2026
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Noun
One of the unspoken truths about the Tortuga Music Festival is that while its country-music firepower is undeniable, some of its best moments have come in the frenzy of fans who pack stages for party-rap performers such as Flo Rida, Nelly, Wiz Khalifa, Snoop Dogg and Ludacris.
—Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2026
Since the 1980s, rap lyrics have been introduced in more than 820 criminal cases across the country, according to researchers who have studied the practice.
—Ivan J. Bates, Baltimore Sun, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
Ye raps almost convincingly about the past few years of controversy, falling just short of saying anything impactful.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 31 Mar. 2026
Past guest stars on Celebrity Substitute, which is hosted by Julian Shapiro-Barnum, include A$AP Rocky who taught a fourth grade class how to rap; Kehlani, who gave 8-year-olds a crash course in R&B; and Billie Eilish and Finneas, who wrote a song with their students.
—Annie Harrigan, Billboard, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rap
Cite this Entry
“Rap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rap. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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