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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in blame
responsibility for wrongdoing or failure
would sooner take the rap for the missing money than tell on his friend
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in damn
the smallest amount or part imaginable
I don't care a rap about losing that old jacket
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of rap
Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026
Reyes debuted the iconic rap posse Cypress Hill in 1991 along with B-Real (Louis Freese) and producer DJ Muggs (Lawrence Muggerud).
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 2 June 2026
Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2026
Jarico Anderson, who raps under the stage name Dreamllife Rizzy, was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted, court records show.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for rap
Noun
During his audition, Taleno performed an original rap that referenced the judges.
—Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026
Reyes debuted the iconic rap posse Cypress Hill in 1991 along with B-Real (Louis Freese) and producer DJ Muggs (Lawrence Muggerud).
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 2 June 2026
Verb
Police said he had been removed from admittance because all available seats were taken, prompting Loevy to rap on the building’s glass entrance door, which broke.
—Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2026
Jarico Anderson, who raps under the stage name Dreamllife Rizzy, was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted, court records show.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for rap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rap
Noun
-
Freedom is an indictment of systems, institutions, and people who have failed women, Black people, the young, the poor, and me.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
-
Similar raids by the feds at addresses tied to then-Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and then-San Leandro City Councilmember Bryan Azevedo eventually led to criminal indictments against both politicians, as well as the businessmen accused of bribing them.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
At that pace, even a tiny micrometeoroid has the ability to impart a significant kinetic blow upon striking a spacecraft en route to the moon, with potentially disastrous results for the astronaut crew inside.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
7 June 2026
-
Sánchez had the big blow with a two-run shot.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
Bottoms said political leaders should focus less on blame and more on voters' concerns.—
Zachary Bynum,
CBS News,
7 June 2026
-
In the meantime, each of the three companies is shirking blame.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
5 June 2026
Noun
-
Please also chat with our team using the chat widget at the bottom right-hand corner of this page for the fastest support.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 June 2026
-
And yet, Chisholm’s chat with Fallon sparked some jokes and blowback after the host asked the colorful character what the Yankees’ ultimate goal is this season.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
And if that is to be the case, most Chicagoans do not give a damn whether the team goes to Arlington Heights or Hammond.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
1 June 2026
-
In a world of drivers mostly ruled by their corporate sponsors, Busch was an otherworldly talent who simply did not give a damn.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
The Rockies’ Kyle Karros hit an opposite-field line drive that carried to the right-field warning track, but Lee tracked down the potential extra-base hit on the run, then crashed into the chain-link portion of the fence.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
30 May 2026
-
The hitting coaches have been really emphasizing it.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
Nilles, meanwhile, won over fans from her first cymbal crash and wove through every drumming nuance created by Peart.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
-
Be entertained by an array of music, dance, drumming, art activities, food and more at this family-friendly festival.—
Hema Sivanandam,
Mercury News,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Paul DiPierro and Scott Ostrander, owners of adjacent restaurant Origami Asian Grill, encouraged Pruner to talk to the landlord when the space vacated.—
Sean Timberlake,
Sacbee.com,
9 June 2026
-
My mother opens the balcony door and starts hanging up underpants, talking to the guests with her back to them.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rap. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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