1
as in smacking
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
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2
as in insulting
to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment in
tired of jokes that slap people of faith
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of slapping
Part of the answer seems to be more brands willing to make early commitments that actually matter (and not just slapping logos on things) but investing in the media infrastructure that lets fans watch and follow women’s sports in the first place.
—
Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 26 Jan. 2026
But 6-11 has a way of slapping you in the face.
—Sam McDowell 23, Kansas City Star, 23 Jan. 2026
Last month, a teacher and coach at Milwaukee School of Languages was removed from both positions after allegedly slapping a student before the start of winter break.
—April Quevedo, jsonline.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Trump also dropped his threat of slapping tariffs on European nations that support Denmark.
—Lorne Cook, Fortune, 22 Jan. 2026
An arrest report for Stout says that Wayne and multiple other people living in the home heard Stout shouting at the girl and slapping noises.
—Austen Erblat, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
The sweet sounds of baseballs slapping into mitts and bats pinging away are starting to be heard in Connecticut, where college baseball practice began this week.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 18 Jan. 2026
Enten yells, slapping his hands together.
—Saahil Desai, The Atlantic, 17 Jan. 2026
Police on Long Island arrested a 31-year-old man for slapping a 5-year-old child with cerebral palsy who was crying and coughing in a Port Jefferson residence.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 16 Jan. 2026
Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 26 Jan. 2026
But 6-11 has a way of slapping you in the face.
—Sam McDowell 23, Kansas City Star, 23 Jan. 2026
Last month, a teacher and coach at Milwaukee School of Languages was removed from both positions after allegedly slapping a student before the start of winter break.
—April Quevedo, jsonline.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Trump also dropped his threat of slapping tariffs on European nations that support Denmark.
—Lorne Cook, Fortune, 22 Jan. 2026
An arrest report for Stout says that Wayne and multiple other people living in the home heard Stout shouting at the girl and slapping noises.
—Austen Erblat, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
The sweet sounds of baseballs slapping into mitts and bats pinging away are starting to be heard in Connecticut, where college baseball practice began this week.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 18 Jan. 2026
Enten yells, slapping his hands together.
—Saahil Desai, The Atlantic, 17 Jan. 2026
Police on Long Island arrested a 31-year-old man for slapping a 5-year-old child with cerebral palsy who was crying and coughing in a Port Jefferson residence.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 16 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slapping
Verb
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Things often turn uglier after nightfall, when the convoys return and the protesters sometimes grow angrier, shaking fences and occasionally smacking passing cars.—
Tim Sullivan,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Jan. 2026
-
My long-term goals are more important than smacking.—
Magi Helena,
Dallas Morning News,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The International Chess Federation filed a formal complaint against Kramnik in November, accusing him of harassment and insulting the dignity of fellow players.—
Grace Toohey,
Los Angeles Times,
22 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
Verb
-
Gold extended its relentless rally on Thursday, crossing past $5,500 per ounce and hitting another record high.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2026
-
After Read discovered him dead in his former colleague's front yard, she was subsequently accused of hitting him with her SUV, sparking not one, but two lengthy and high-profile trials.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Who is this dude, and is Sanders worried about offending him?—
Deborah Vankin,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Jan. 2026
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The offending vehicle fled in an unknown direction Unless otherwise noted, no arrests were made in the above incidents.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
18 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Guido followed him around like a puppy, from the very first day, always knocking on his door.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Video footage from the protest showed officers swinging batons and knocking demonstrators to the ground.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In September 2014, TMZ published a grainy elevator security video that showed Ray Rice, the star running back for the Baltimore Ravens, punching his girlfriend in the face so hard that she was knocked unconscious.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
28 Jan. 2026
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Aerating your lawn can improve this by punching holes into the soil or removing small plugs of soil to help water, air, and nutrients penetrate deeper into the ground.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Another clip of the exchange posted by Reedy ended with Hamilton hopping into a van with other officers and slamming his door shut.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Jan. 2026
-
McIntyre threw Fatu threw a table and then picked up Rhodes, slamming him into another table with a massive powerbomb.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
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My ten-year-old granddaughter was marching and banging her little saucepan with a salad spoon.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Online posts questioning the city’s account continued into the week, and protesters have kept returning to the Hyatt, banging pots and chanting in subfreezing temperatures.—
Emiliano Tahui Gómez,
Austin American Statesman,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Slapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slapping. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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