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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rapping
Matthew Ritchie, Pitchfork, 2 June 2026
The first cuts on Big Mama confirm Latto’s hard-rapping bona fides.
—Mosi Reeves, Rolling Stone, 1 June 2026
At one point, Tech returned to old-school hip-hop fundamentals, beatboxing and using his chest as percussion while rapping, echoing lunchroom cypher traditions.
—Kansas City Star, 25 May 2026
Bergstrom accepted the challenge and promptly beat the older male recruiter, rapping out 18 pull-ups while the recruiter could muster only 15.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 15 May 2026
North wore a long blue wig, black sunglasses and a black leather outfit, dancing around and rapping while on stage.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
Numbers-wise, what Yandy Diaz did Thursday night, rapping his 1,000th career hit, may not seem that significant.
—Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 May 2026
Marcus Stokes initially committed to Florida but never got to UF after a video surfaced of him rapping along to song lyrics that included a racial slur.
—Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 1 May 2026
Mamdani began rapping in high school, releasing socially conscious songs in his 20s on subjects ranging from Indian flatbread to colonialism.
—ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
Veeze’s signature rapping voice, which sounds like his vocal cords are coated in phlegm and cough syrup, is increasingly versatile, despite the sometimes half-asleep delivery.
—Matthew Ritchie, Pitchfork, 2 June 2026
The first cuts on Big Mama confirm Latto’s hard-rapping bona fides.
—Mosi Reeves, Rolling Stone, 1 June 2026
At one point, Tech returned to old-school hip-hop fundamentals, beatboxing and using his chest as percussion while rapping, echoing lunchroom cypher traditions.
—Kansas City Star, 25 May 2026
Bergstrom accepted the challenge and promptly beat the older male recruiter, rapping out 18 pull-ups while the recruiter could muster only 15.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 15 May 2026
North wore a long blue wig, black sunglasses and a black leather outfit, dancing around and rapping while on stage.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
Numbers-wise, what Yandy Diaz did Thursday night, rapping his 1,000th career hit, may not seem that significant.
—Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 May 2026
Marcus Stokes initially committed to Florida but never got to UF after a video surfaced of him rapping along to song lyrics that included a racial slur.
—Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 1 May 2026
Mamdani began rapping in high school, releasing socially conscious songs in his 20s on subjects ranging from Indian flatbread to colonialism.
—ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rapping
Verb
-
Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell and Chase Briscoe beating and banging all the way to the checkers.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
-
The new transmission responded more quickly and reduced involuntary head banging in the car’s cabin.—
Will Sabel Courtney,
Robb Report,
28 May 2026
Verb
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The group, founded in 2004, delivers a mix of drumming/percussion, music and dancing that presents a contemporary take on the traditional music and dance of the Punjab region of India.—
Randy McMullen,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
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The characters discuss Rudy Giuliani’s controversial stop-and-frisk police policies, and Knuck is part of a sidewalk bucket drumming group.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2026
Verb
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Imagine that a person was mainly chatting on topics such as how to cook an egg or fix a car.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
After chatting about the war in Iran, immigration and the economy, Clark asked Campa-Najjar what set him apart from other candidates.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 2026
Verb
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Baoase is also transporting, as any memorable hotel should be, with a strong Asian-esque design that includes ubiquitous Balinese Hindu statues, idols, and sculptures, and a reliance on simplicity over dazzle.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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One such prize, the Nancy, was transporting 2,000 muskets, 30 tons of musket balls and a massive 15-inch brass mortar – supplies the American army desperately needed for the war effort.—
Christopher Magra,
The Conversation,
2 June 2026
Verb
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The best know how to play through grabbing or shoving of various degrees.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
-
Wembanyama finished Game 6 with 28 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.—
Devon Henderson,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Even 6 inches of moving water can pose a serious risk of knocking you off your feet.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
29 May 2026
-
Sounds like big savings knocking on your doorstep.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Visitors can access the restrooms in several ways, including scanning a QR code posted on the unit, sending a text message, using the Throne mobile app or tapping a phoneless access card.—
Zachary Bynum,
CBS News,
31 May 2026
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Keeper Chris Brady – also on at halftime for Turner – charged forward from his net but Jackson beat him to the ball, lofting it over the American keeper and then tapping it into Mane’s path for his second goal.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
Verb
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In a loss, OpenAI could face pressure to implement remedies like age-gating free ChatGPT accounts to protect kids, shutting down conversations that discuss violence and suicide, and removing features that the state says deceptively make ChatGPT feel like talking to a human.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
1 June 2026
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Cannavaro is not the first global football star to infiltrate Uzbek football (Rivaldo played for Bunyodkor for three years towards the end of his career) but his appointment certainly got a football-mad nation talking.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rapping. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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