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
Jake Richardson, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025
Once off the bus, Johnson-Hunt said the officers put him in handcuffs and that one of the men slapped him and tried to use the Taser again.
—Dan Raby, CBS News, 23 Dec. 2025
CBS News, 29 Dec. 2025
Lang admitted the slap to officers, according to the report.
—Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 20 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for slap
Verb
During an argument, someone slapped another person in the face and then used high heels to damage that person’s vehicle.
—Jake Richardson, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025
Once off the bus, Johnson-Hunt said the officers put him in handcuffs and that one of the men slapped him and tried to use the Taser again.
—Dan Raby, CBS News, 23 Dec. 2025
Noun
Tavares dug the puck from the boards to Robertson, who beat Talbot with a slap shot.
—CBS News, 29 Dec. 2025
Lang admitted the slap to officers, according to the report.
—Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 20 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for slap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slap
Verb
-
Diaz obliged, but not before smacking an unlucky onlooker with a wayward first attempt, above.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Often, though, the clutter is the point, and you’re smacked with temperamental textures that channel the flippant streak of plunderphonics.—
H.D. Angel,
Pitchfork,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But there’s a big difference between knowing that a relative is a pill and loving them through it and being rudely insulted by a relative and just sucking it up.—
Eric Thomas,
Baltimore Sun,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Despite his mediator role, Rodríguez is also known for his explosive temperament, lashing out in Congress and publicly threatening and insulting members of the opposition.—
Bloomberg Wire,
Dallas Morning News,
4 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Both teams scored 14 points in that final period, with Matthew Stafford’s 19-yard touchdown pass to tight end Colby Parkinson the killing blow with 38 seconds left.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Jan. 2026
-
This latest disaster will be framed by some as another blow to Minnesota's reputation.—
Phil Morris The Minnesota Star Tribune,
Arkansas Online,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The video, narrated with dry sarcasm and visible exhaustion, quickly went viral.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
-
With her signature deadpan sarcasm and round glasses, Daria critiqued suburban life and the insanity of high school popularity contests with wit and honesty.—
Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal,
Parents,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Iowa then got three good looks from the three-point line in the final seconds but couldn't hit the tying shot.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Despite their franchise history dating back to the mid-70s (via Kansas City and Colorado), which includes essentially all of the highest-scoring era in league history, the New Jersey Devils have never had a player hit either of the game’s most basic offensive milestones.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
No, absolutely not, what does offend me, though, is having the poppy try be forced upon me.—
Eduardo Tansley,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
-
When no one in the Fortune 500 wants to risk offending Trump, leave it to Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog to take care of business.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Twitchy enough to line up off the edge or run with a tight end in the slot, Fisher (6-1, 231) is a bit small but brings enough thump to be the type of linebacker who never has to leave the field.—
Nick Baumgardner,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Though ashen, the convex steel form still resonates to the rhythmic thump of her hands.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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One defensive stop later, and the Hurricanes clinched their 31-27 win over the Rebels to punch their ticket into the national championship game.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The Ravens battled the Pittsburgh Steelers in a crucial division matchup, where the winner would be crowned AFC North champs and punch its ticket into the postseason, while the loser would be sent packing.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
8 Jan. 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 12 Jan. 2026.
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