1
as in counts
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
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2
as in thumps
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
as in chats
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
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as in licks
the smallest amount or part imaginable
I don't care a rap about losing that old jacket
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in slaps
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 taps
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 talks
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 delights
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 grabs
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 raps
Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 30 Apr. 2026
Timbaland’s eerie, minimalist production — stuttering beat patterns, yawning silences between drum hits, synth riffs that bray and heave — was the ideal vehicle for Elliott’s slaloming, heavily syncopated raps.
—New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
These are redemption raps with only the vaguest sense of what redemption might look like, a wishy-washy desire to both stomp the haters and be widely loved again.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 1 Apr. 2026
With traces of the trap titans that paved the way, Kushington’s motivational raps filled his trapper-friendly The Streets Is Yours debut project, which arrived last March.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 27 Mar. 2026
Visitors can also expect math raps by The Music Notes.
—Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
The multilingual performer raps in French, Arabic, and Milanese slang.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 5 Feb. 2026
During his performances, Hensinger sings, raps, beatboxes, plays the piano, and plays the trumpet.
—CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
And yet, Doja continuously taps the well while adapting it to her own aesthetic, moving fluidly between sweet harmonies and nimble raps in classic Doja form.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 26 Sep. 2025
Maureen Kerr, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Luis Rincon, 30, who raps under the stage name Weez Gotti, was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 1 May 2026
Ye raps almost convincingly about the past few years of controversy, falling just short of saying anything impactful.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 31 Mar. 2026
Bad Bunny raps his verse on the song reminding me of how life is a circle.
—Lilliam Rivera, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
In addition, several Durk tracks featuring codefendant Deandre Dontrell Wilson, who raps under the name Deeski, were submitted as evidence by the prosecution.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 3 Feb. 2026
Nearly 30 years later, Daley, who raps under the moniker Slug alongside Ant, is celebrating three decades as the hip-hop duo Atmosphere.
—Charlie Vargas, Daily News, 30 Jan. 2026
With his tree-bark rasp, Gabe raps hard as hell and pulls little storytelling tricks out of his bag.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 30 Jan. 2026
His EsDeeKid remix dispelled a rumor that the Liverpool artist was Chalamet’s alter ego while leaving intact the notion that the actor secretly raps.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 21 Jan. 2026
Noun
Released on Sky Rompiendo’s independent imprint, Black Koi Entertainment, the song finds Maluma offering his sultry vocals as Kris R’s raps over the smooth reggaeton beat.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 30 Apr. 2026
Timbaland’s eerie, minimalist production — stuttering beat patterns, yawning silences between drum hits, synth riffs that bray and heave — was the ideal vehicle for Elliott’s slaloming, heavily syncopated raps.
—New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
These are redemption raps with only the vaguest sense of what redemption might look like, a wishy-washy desire to both stomp the haters and be widely loved again.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 1 Apr. 2026
With traces of the trap titans that paved the way, Kushington’s motivational raps filled his trapper-friendly The Streets Is Yours debut project, which arrived last March.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 27 Mar. 2026
Visitors can also expect math raps by The Music Notes.
—Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
The multilingual performer raps in French, Arabic, and Milanese slang.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 5 Feb. 2026
During his performances, Hensinger sings, raps, beatboxes, plays the piano, and plays the trumpet.
—CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
And yet, Doja continuously taps the well while adapting it to her own aesthetic, moving fluidly between sweet harmonies and nimble raps in classic Doja form.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
Elsewhere, Lirian Santos brings Brazilian soccer-fashion crossover from London, Papa Pincus turns Arsenal-fan obsession into running comedy, Bi Goes covers São Paulo matchday energy, and Skiper raps over highlights from Monterrey.
—Maureen Kerr, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Luis Rincon, 30, who raps under the stage name Weez Gotti, was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 1 May 2026
Ye raps almost convincingly about the past few years of controversy, falling just short of saying anything impactful.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 31 Mar. 2026
Bad Bunny raps his verse on the song reminding me of how life is a circle.
—Lilliam Rivera, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
In addition, several Durk tracks featuring codefendant Deandre Dontrell Wilson, who raps under the name Deeski, were submitted as evidence by the prosecution.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 3 Feb. 2026
Nearly 30 years later, Daley, who raps under the moniker Slug alongside Ant, is celebrating three decades as the hip-hop duo Atmosphere.
—Charlie Vargas, Daily News, 30 Jan. 2026
With his tree-bark rasp, Gabe raps hard as hell and pulls little storytelling tricks out of his bag.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 30 Jan. 2026
His EsDeeKid remix dispelled a rumor that the Liverpool artist was Chalamet’s alter ego while leaving intact the notion that the actor secretly raps.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 21 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for raps
Noun
-
Brown is expected to face multiple charges, including two counts of armed assault with intent to murder, along with weapons offenses.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
12 May 2026
-
Following a jury trial, Pasqual was also convicted of counts of injuring a spouse or partner, first-degree burglary and rape, according to court documents.—
Cerys Davies,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
In Guyana’s capital city of Georgetown, neighbors can still hear the thumps.—
Tyler Jett,
Des Moines Register,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
According to a company website, messages people share with Meta AI may be used by the social media company to improve its AI models, but personal chats on WhatsApp remain protected by end-to-end encryption and are not accessible for that purpose.—
Katie Paul,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
-
For Miller that means more chats with Popovich, who remains at 77 the club's president of basketball operations despite suffering a stroke in November 2024.—
Tom Orsborn,
San Antonio Express-News,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Eventually music theory discussion turned to actual licks.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
17 Apr. 2026
-
She was known to sneak butter from the fridge to enjoy a few finger licks.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Anderson slaps his hit down the right field line, just fair.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2026
-
At the end of the night, during the bows, Butler slaps the guys playing her two antagonists gently on their butts, a gesture that would have jarred in most stagings but fully in keeping with the inclusive, humanistic vibe of this production.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Completes his own 360 spin, but taps the wall with his left-front, damaging his car’s left steering arm.—
Alex Kalinauckas,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
-
Some recipes include orange juice and peach preserves, but ours taps pineapple juice for brightness and sweetness.—
Jasmine Smith,
Southern Living,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
Klaus talks to his sister in California on an elegant brass and Bakelite 1940s telephone (the props are divine throughout), complete with operator interruptions.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
-
Our correspondent talks to him.—
Greg Dixon,
NPR,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Adam Kovac,
Scientific American,
15 May 2026
-
With symphonic works, chamber delights, and operatic thrills on the calendar, here are three of the highlights.—
Randy McMullen,
Mercury News,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Raps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raps. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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