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
Will Dukes, Rolling Stone, 22 Aug. 2025
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
No doubt, craft, finesse, and professionalism are evident in his lithesome, always-in-pocket raps.
—Will Dukes, Rolling Stone, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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 18 Sep. 2025.
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