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
New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
That playfulness has manifested in audiences seeing a different side of Probst — from him rapping a tribe swap reveal to doing impressions of three players (including Christian Hubicki, who was sitting just feet away) at a tribal council.
—Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
The offense had a quiet day, rapping only six hits for the afternoon, with the top four in the lineup going 2-for-16.
—Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Apr. 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
The girl from Santo Domingo’s bajo mundo made her name rapping gleefully filthy dembow in space-punk regalia.
—E.r. Pulgar, Pitchfork, 16 Apr. 2026
Ye has been open over the years about his troubles, from rapping about substance abuse to discussing his mental health struggles, and this time is no different.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2026
Excise Dept blend experimental electronics with South Asian identity, singing and rapping across multiple regional languages — their inclusion speaks to the label’s intention to work with artists based on the subcontinent itself, not only within the diaspora.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 31 Mar. 2026
Millions of views accumulated for a kid rapping about the demonic nature of LGBTQ people.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
The trick transforms Elliott’s rapping into demented scat-singing.
—New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
That playfulness has manifested in audiences seeing a different side of Probst — from him rapping a tribe swap reveal to doing impressions of three players (including Christian Hubicki, who was sitting just feet away) at a tribal council.
—Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
The offense had a quiet day, rapping only six hits for the afternoon, with the top four in the lineup going 2-for-16.
—Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Apr. 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
The girl from Santo Domingo’s bajo mundo made her name rapping gleefully filthy dembow in space-punk regalia.
—E.r. Pulgar, Pitchfork, 16 Apr. 2026
Ye has been open over the years about his troubles, from rapping about substance abuse to discussing his mental health struggles, and this time is no different.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2026
Excise Dept blend experimental electronics with South Asian identity, singing and rapping across multiple regional languages — their inclusion speaks to the label’s intention to work with artists based on the subcontinent itself, not only within the diaspora.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 31 Mar. 2026
Millions of views accumulated for a kid rapping about the demonic nature of LGBTQ people.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rapping. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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