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
Lei Takanashi,
Pitchfork,
16 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
As if rapping from a speeding time machine, Wiki flows about yellow taxis turning into Uber Eats over an instrumental that cruises from a soft breakbeat into a total breakdown of glitchy scratches courtesy of Lil Ugly Mane.
—
Lei Takanashi,
Pitchfork,
16 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
-
And on the other hand, there've been some folks who would like to see me out every day, right, banging the drum.
-
Cars pushed through the crowd, hitting at least one person as agitators continued banging, kicking and blocking government vehicles.
Verb
-
The San Jose Police Emerald Society Pipe and Drum band will be piping and drumming at Willow Glen Town Square on Lincoln Avenue, and a pop-up choir will be roaming VTA light-rail trains and stations throughout the day.
-
And drumming — so much drumming.
Verb
-
While chatting with Craig Melvin during a June 19 appearance on the Today show, the TV icon paused her interview to smack the anchor after a bold request.
-
Within minutes, the men, who ranged in age from 30 to 60, began chatting among themselves.
Verb
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Helou said Blumenfield’s motion completes the loop by keeping food waste close to home, creating more local composting and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transporting waste outside of the city.
-
For travelers transporting items that require extra security and declaration, durable, lockable luggage is essential.
Verb
-
Farage, Reform’s attention-grabbing but divisive leader, was a curiously low-key presence.
-
With that in mind, if the Pacers want to acquire a draft pick, following their past and grabbing one in the 30s makes good sense.
Verb
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Even 6 inches of moving water can pose a serious risk of knocking you off your feet.
-
Newsom’s office said that along with the FBI, agents from the IRS have been knocking on doors and asking questions.
Verb
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In the photo, the Babygirl actress could be seen tapping into her screen siren status by posing with her hands tousling her curls.
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In other words, the reason for tapping the equity should make sense from a financial standpoint, experts said.
Verb
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Seconds later, Hines-Allen decided she was done talking and shoved Bonner.
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If your medication is affected, consider talking to your doctor or pharmacist to determine the best course of action.
Cite this Entry
“Rapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rapping. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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