1
as in banging
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
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2
as in drumming
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 chatting
to engage in casual or rambling conversation
the guys at the gym never seem to tire about rapping about basketball
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in transporting
to fill with overwhelming emotion (as wonder or delight)
concertgoers were utterly rapped by the power of Handel's oratorio
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in grabbing
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 rapping
Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026
The world held is collective breath for 36 seconds last Wednesday night when Survivor 50 host Jeff Probst suddenly decided to start rapping.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026
He was named National League rookie of the month after rapping out 17 extra-base hits.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 14 Mar. 2026
The video was the first time millions of people saw someone rapping on-screen.
—Fab 5 Freddy, Vanity Fair, 2 Mar. 2026
Swayvo started rapping during his junior year at Stockbridge High School.
—Deasia Paige, AJC.com, 1 Mar. 2026
Born in 2000, Janarious Mykel Wheeler began rapping at 7 years old.
—Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 18 Feb. 2026
Bad Bunny stood in the tall grass below, holding a Puerto Rican independence movement flag, before climbing an empty pole to a narrow platform, rapping all the while.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 10 Feb. 2026
Fresh off last week’s historic Album of the Year Grammy win, Spanish-rapping Bad Bunny brought his singular stamp of joy to Levi’s Stadium during Super Bowl LX, starting in a sugar cane field, in what many termed a cultural game changer.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 9 Feb. 2026
Verb
The Hartsville, South Carolina native started rapping at the age of 21, the same year that he was accidentally shot in a crossfire.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026
The world held is collective breath for 36 seconds last Wednesday night when Survivor 50 host Jeff Probst suddenly decided to start rapping.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026
He was named National League rookie of the month after rapping out 17 extra-base hits.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 14 Mar. 2026
The video was the first time millions of people saw someone rapping on-screen.
—Fab 5 Freddy, Vanity Fair, 2 Mar. 2026
Swayvo started rapping during his junior year at Stockbridge High School.
—Deasia Paige, AJC.com, 1 Mar. 2026
Born in 2000, Janarious Mykel Wheeler began rapping at 7 years old.
—Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 18 Feb. 2026
Bad Bunny stood in the tall grass below, holding a Puerto Rican independence movement flag, before climbing an empty pole to a narrow platform, rapping all the while.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 10 Feb. 2026
Fresh off last week’s historic Album of the Year Grammy win, Spanish-rapping Bad Bunny brought his singular stamp of joy to Levi’s Stadium during Super Bowl LX, starting in a sugar cane field, in what many termed a cultural game changer.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rapping. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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