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

Jamie Love is swaying, slapping a hand against her thigh to keep time, and mouthing along to the music that plays from a set of portable speakers. — Sam Kestenbaum, Harpers Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026

According to an affidavit for an arrest warrant, Gilder also attempted to leave with a ring, which was slapped out of his possession and recovered at the scene of the robbery. — ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026

Noun

Selena falls dramatically over the sofa, in the opposite direction of his slap. — William Vaillancourt, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2026

The attack is not so much a matter of precision as enclosing an area—hopefully a space that the fly is within when her jaws slap shut. — Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 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.