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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of raps
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
10 June 2026
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
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
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
20 May 2026
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
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
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
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
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
In the last few years, RealYungPhil’s raps have taken on the effect of that friend who always has a life-affirming conversation with you on the porch outside of a house party.
—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
10 June 2026
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
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
Jarico Anderson, who raps under the stage name Dreamllife Rizzy, was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted, court records show.
—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
20 May 2026
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
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
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
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
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
-
Both suspects now face additional charges, including 28 counts of payment card theft, larceny, identity theft and conspiracy.
-
Gary Chan, who obtained a federal explosives permit for the company, has been charged with seven counts of murder and six charges related to the possession and transportation of explosives.
Noun
-
Agents yelled from every direction, and the thumps of a news helicopter overhead were deafening.
-
You’ll be thrown around in your seat, which moves in sync with the action, along with thumps in the back, splashes of water, blasts of air, smoke, and flashes of light.
Noun
-
But the next day, Okeadu’s computer disappeared and his name was deleted from work chats.
-
Legal professionals must carefully weigh the probative value against potential juror backlash, educate the jury on the evidence's legitimacy, and consider whether to integrate AI chats cautiously or even forgo them entirely.
Noun
-
Zachary Stevenson’s performance replicates the nerdy-yet-hip Texan through impressive guitar licks and superb vocals that are equally comfortable with sweet ballads and on-the-edge rockabilly songs.
-
Elk, deer, and buffalo had migrated to and from mineral licks throughout North America for millennia.
Verb
-
Wilhelm enters the room, removes most of his clothing and gets into bed with her, slaps her, pushes her away and then caresses her face and cradles her.
-
That direct relationship is what separates a true farm to table operation from a restaurant that simply slaps the phrase on a marketing page.
Verb
-
Aficionados spoke about how the brand taps into nostalgia for a certain time, even among those who weren’t alive then.
-
The game’s appeal also taps into something much older than any trend.
Verb
-
Instead, the guy talks to dead barkeeps and wields an ax more than his typewriter.
-
Albert Saijo, second semester editor of Echoes, Heart Mountain high school publication, talks things over with Hisako Takehara and Alice Tanouye, first semester co-editors.
Verb
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.
-
Still, in its charms the production delights.
Cite this Entry
“Raps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raps. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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