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
As EPs, celebrities might do anything from simply slapping their name on a poster to glad-handing for an awards campaign to getting deeply involved in production.
—
Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2025
Violeta Santos Moura | Reuters Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent accused China of trying to weaken the global economy by slapping export controls on resources vital for technology.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025
Perich, who received a game ball in the locker room postgame, is usually boisterous on the field, screaming and slapping himself on the helmet.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 12 Oct. 2025
In the joke-off, everyone had to find new, knee-slapping ways to make fun of a real-life headline about a Tennessee woman who broke a hospital record by giving birth to a 13 pound baby.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 11 Oct. 2025
Peter O’Toole being tossed out for slapping a manager.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 10 Oct. 2025
Then, Lukes came through for Toronto once again, slapping a single into left field to cash both runs.
—The Athletic Mlb Staff, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
By slapping a $100,000 filing fee on H=1B visas, the White House has declared the days of cheap labor pipelines and visa abuse officially over.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
Your husband overreacted and disrespected you, slapping food and mocking you.
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025
Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2025
Violeta Santos Moura | Reuters Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent accused China of trying to weaken the global economy by slapping export controls on resources vital for technology.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025
Perich, who received a game ball in the locker room postgame, is usually boisterous on the field, screaming and slapping himself on the helmet.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 12 Oct. 2025
In the joke-off, everyone had to find new, knee-slapping ways to make fun of a real-life headline about a Tennessee woman who broke a hospital record by giving birth to a 13 pound baby.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 11 Oct. 2025
Peter O’Toole being tossed out for slapping a manager.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 10 Oct. 2025
Then, Lukes came through for Toronto once again, slapping a single into left field to cash both runs.
—The Athletic Mlb Staff, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
By slapping a $100,000 filing fee on H=1B visas, the White House has declared the days of cheap labor pipelines and visa abuse officially over.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
Your husband overreacted and disrespected you, slapping food and mocking you.
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slapping
Verb
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The first of 12 projects outlined in the book is a literal slapstick, the classic vaudeville tool used to imitate the sound of smacking someone with a stick.—
Michael Roberts,
Outside,
9 Oct. 2025
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Really, there’s only one character onstage who commands an audience’s attention, and that’s Hines’ gum-smacking sister-in-law, who turns from antagonist to supporter.—
Rob Hubbard,
Twin Cities,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Bronx native appears to be referencing her vicious feud with Nicki Minaj, which became a nasty back-and-forth on social media earlier this month that ended up seeing both artists insulting each other’s children.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
14 Oct. 2025
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Between 2014 and 2020, Erdogan investigated 160,000 Turks for insulting the president and prosecuted 45,000 of them, including a 14-year-old boy.—
Cassandra Burke Robertson,
The Conversation,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
18 Oct. 2025
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Kurt's key takeaways Tesla's dream of a fully autonomous future keeps hitting speed bumps.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Is the streamer afraid of offending hate groups by depicting them as hateful and/or groups?—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
24 Sep. 2025
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In New Zealand, murder carries a mandatory life sentence and judges are required to set a prison term of at least 10 years before the offending person can apply for parole, according to the outlet.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Even 6 inches of moving water can pose a serious risk of knocking you off your feet.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Oct. 2025
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Sneaker waves are especially concerning, capable of knocking people off their feet, pulling them into cold ocean water, or trapping them under logs.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But Vrabel’s methods are working, because the Patriots are exceeding expectations and punching above their weight atop the AFC East standings.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
16 Oct. 2025
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The video, which has more than 1,000 shares, captured a woman punching another woman on a counter when a man with a gray shirt walked up to them.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten , Adriana James-Rodil,
FOXNews.com,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
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After facing controversy for slamming the inclusion of a same-sex couple in Disney’s 2022 movie Lightyear, Snoop Dogg has changed his tune.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Oct. 2025
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Stein responded on Monday to the GOP statehouse leaders' announcement by slamming them for failing voters and calling out how the state legislature has yet to pass a budget.—
Brittany Shepherd,
ABC News,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Gilbert, who graduated from the district’s New School For Community Service in 2008, recalled banging the rhythm on his desk as a teenager.—
Kayla Huynh,
jsonline.com,
10 Oct. 2025
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One of the loudest voices was 29-year-old Neil Lothamer, of Indianapolis, who added pot-banging to his chorus.—
Marissa Meador,
IndyStar,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Slapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slapping. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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