Synonyms of slap

slap 1 of 2

verb

ˈslap 

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

• smack
• hit
• punch
• knock
• clap
• bang
• slam
• whack
• strike
• swipe
• pound
• clip
• crack
• kick
• bat
• thump
• shove
• lick
• swat
• bash
• nail
• tap
• push
• hammer
• box
• poke
• bludgeon
• thwack
• tag
• smite
• flick
• clock
• jab
• zap
• chop
• stab
• clobber
• slug
• clout
• bop
• bob
• bonk
• rap
• belt
• sock
• wallop
• paste
• bump
• bust
• stroke
• whale
• slog
• biff
• pummel
• beat
• rough
• hang one on
• maul
• slash
• stamp
• butt
• lash
• pepper
• cuff
• lambaste
• scuff
• drub
• pelt
• batter
• knee
• bung
• mangle
• whip
• dump
• fell
• jostle
• cream
• buffet
• deck
• lace
• bunt
• prod
• pommel
• floor
• cane
• knock down
• spear
• flog
• switch
• flail
• cudgel
• thrash
• brain
• club
• conk
• sucker punch
• bean
• skull
• bowl (down or over)
• level
• sledgehammer
• sap
• sledge
• rabbit-punch

2

as in to insult

to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment in

tired of jokes that slap people of faith

Synonyms & Similar Words

• insult
• offend
• outrage
• taunt
• wound
• affront
• hurt
• disrespect
• upset
• slight
• displease
• disturb
• mock
• trouble
• dis
• pain
• snub
• ridicule
• distress
• smear
• jeer
• cut
• slander
• torment
• torture
• disparage
• revile
• sneer (at)
• malign
• libel
• defame
• slur
• oppress
• persecute
• miff

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approve
• applaud
• hail
• commend
• compliment
• praise
• acclaim
• eulogize
• please
• honor
• flatter
• satisfy
• exalt
• glorify
• delight
• adulate
• gratify
• sweet-talk

slap

2 of 2

noun

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

• blow
• thump
• punch
• hit
• swipe
• smack
• thud
• knock
• whack
• pound
• stroke
• poke
• lick
• spank
• bang
• beat
• slam
• clap
• kick
• hook
• clip
• chop
• swat
• lash
• switch
• smash
• crack
• bat
• belt
• dab
• thwack
• cuff
• pelt
• sock
• bash
• pick
• bop
• slug
• fillip
• hack
• pounding
• rap
• welt
• plump
• box
• stripe
• knee
• wham
• bust
• biff
• wallop
• licking
• clout
• stinger
• buffet
• hand
• beating
• haymaker
• douse
• swing
• whop
• left
• counter
• larrup
• whip
• whipping
• right
• shiver
• sucker punch
• hammering
• body blow
• roundhouse
• one-two
• uppercut
• thrashing
• counterstroke
• pummeling
• counterblow
• counterpunch
• flogging
• KO
• knockdown
• battering
• rabbit punch
• drubbing
• knockout
• sidewinder
• bludgeoning
• pasting
• clobbering
• bastinado
• cruncher
• walloping
• cudgeling
• lambasting
• right-hander
• kayo

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

• insult
• sarcasm
• outrage
• indignity
• affront
• poke
• slight
• name
• epithet
• dart
• barb
• attack
• slur
• offense
• disgrace
• dig
• brickbat
• cut
• taunt
• dis
• personality
• sneer
• gird
• shame
• put-down
• criticism
• abuse
• mock
• gibe
• jeer
• swipe
• disapproval
• quip
• knock
• invective
• vituperation
• catcall
• dishonor
• opprobrium
• torture
• slam
• torment

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• compliment
• praise
• commendation
• applause
• acclaim
• accolade
• flattery
• adulation

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of slap

Verb

Hochman said the nannies were caught on video spanking, slapping or hitting the children. — News Editor, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026

Residents have reported paying excessive amounts to retrieve their vehicles from tow yards, with companies sometimes slapping extra fees on drivers who contact the police, according to council members. — Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 5 Oct. 2026

Noun

Power, in-your-face attitude, and urgency are what make half of the Pretenders’ still-extraordinary 1978 debut slap. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2026

Her Oscars triumph was also the night of the notorious Will Smith-Chris Rock on-stage slap, which overshadowed coverage. — Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing slap

• slap down

Video

A Look at Uncommon Onomatopoeia

Associate Editor Serenity Carr looks at onomatopoeic words you might not expect, such as bounce and tinker.

Transcript:

When you think of the origins of a word, you think of Old English, or Old French, or Latin, or Sanskrit. But not all words come from a similar word in an older language. Some words come from imitations of the sounds associated with the thing they name. Some are obvious, like fizz, jingle, toot, and pop. Others are less obvious, like slap, bounce, tinker, and cough. So listen carefully to every grunt and murmur, to the prattle and babbling around you. You may be hearing more than just chit-chat.