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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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as in converses
to engage in casual or rambling conversation
the guys at the gym never seem to tire about rapping about basketball
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of raps
Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 26 Sep. 2025
To his credit, the streams so far have given fans a lot to unpack, as well as a trove of new snippets and hints of what sound like some very good raps from Drake.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2025
Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
McKinnon, who raps under the name NBATAE, even received a call from NBA YoungBoy himself, who complimented him on his rap name while giving him words of encouragement and support.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 2 Sep. 2025
This week, Doja Cat raps over Eighties synth-pop in the first preview of her forthcoming LP, Florence + the Machine returns with a bold Banshee yell, and BigXThaPlug adds to the country-rap pantheon.
—Rolling Stone, 22 Aug. 2025
Noun
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
To his credit, the streams so far have given fans a lot to unpack, as well as a trove of new snippets and hints of what sound like some very good raps from Drake.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
In fact, Breyer sings or raps online every day.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
McKinnon, who raps under the name NBATAE, even received a call from NBA YoungBoy himself, who complimented him on his rap name while giving him words of encouragement and support.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 2 Sep. 2025
This week, Doja Cat raps over Eighties synth-pop in the first preview of her forthcoming LP, Florence + the Machine returns with a bold Banshee yell, and BigXThaPlug adds to the country-rap pantheon.
—Rolling Stone, 22 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Raps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raps. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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