1
as in to smack
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
she was so mad that she wanted to slap him right across the face
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to insult
to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment in
tired of jokes that slap people of faith
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in blow
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
doctors used to give newborns a light slap to get them to start breathing
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in insult
an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another's feelings
that comment is a slap to anyone who has ever served in the military
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 slap
Jason Abbruzzese, NBC news, 19 Apr. 2026
The company slapped this message on its advertising, its social posts, even its in-flight napkins.
—Susan Shelley, Oc Register, 18 Apr. 2026
Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 8 Apr. 2026
The bearded blueliner has skated through the bumps and bruises that come with delivering checks and deflecting slap shots.
—ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for slap
Verb
Tyler Mikorski was about to board a flight to go on vacation with his girlfriend and her family on March 1 when police slapped cuffs on him.
—Jason Abbruzzese, NBC news, 19 Apr. 2026
The company slapped this message on its advertising, its social posts, even its in-flight napkins.
—Susan Shelley, Oc Register, 18 Apr. 2026
Noun
Kimmell gained the Ducks’ zone, faking a slap shot and then curling back toward the blue line to find a trailing Haula.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 8 Apr. 2026
The bearded blueliner has skated through the bumps and bruises that come with delivering checks and deflecting slap shots.
—ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for slap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slap
Verb
-
The Met Gala lands smack in the middle of that window, on Monday, May 4 — its traditional first-Monday-in-May slot.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The boy smacks him in the mouth and then immediately starts crying.—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Over just four days this month, Milei, an avid user of X, wrote 86 posts taunting and insulting journalists, according to an analysis of his feed between April 2 and 5 by prominent Argentine daily La Nación.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Late at night, the staff are known for insulting anyone brave enough to step up to the counter.—
Jimmy Jellinek,
SPIN,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Arsenal’s title challenge is back on track, Liverpool have been dealt a potentially season-defining injury blow, and Fantasy Premier League managers now have just four Gameweeks left to make their mark.—
Abdul Rehman,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The loss of Kidal represents a significant blow to Russia’s credibility in Mali, where the military junta has relied on mercenaries to combat Islamic extremism.—
Wilson Mcmakin,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Played with blistering sarcasm by Emily Blunt, the high-strung Runway magazine assistant had many of the most crackling one-liners in the original 2006 film.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
My reaction was pure confusion, sarcasm and not ill intended.—
Ilana Kaplan,
PEOPLE,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Carson Richter hit a grand slam for Newbury Park.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
-
Austin Hays then hit a grounder to third baseman Manny Machado.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
Baselitz was charged with offending public morality; the case dragged on for two years before being dismissed, but his reputation was cemented.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
1 May 2026
-
The image of an officer peering into the empty driver’s seat of the offending vehicle may have been good for a chuckle, but other incidents have been no laughing matter.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
The Yankees need Wells to provide at least some thump in a bottom third of the order that hasn’t been very good.—
Brendan Kuty,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Moments later, a bass thump sounded in the distance.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Pistons punched back with a 20-5 run as the Magic at one point missed 13 straight shots from the floor.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Brown again pulls his hands away from the cops before Maden starts punching him.—
Sheetal Banchariya,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2026
Video
A Look at Uncommon Onomatopoeia
Some imitative words are more surprising than others
Cite this Entry
“Slap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slap. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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