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
Relevance
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slapping
Verb
-
But instead of stopping, Burnett tried to drive away, hitting a tow truck in the process, police said.—
Natalie Demaree,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2025 -
The first season of Severance was a kettle on a flame, hitting its boiling point around Episode 7, and then just boiling over for the final three episodes.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The group in the other vehicle surround Martinez between the two vehicles, with two people repeatedly punching her while a third person pulls her legs, taking her to the ground.—
Nathan Solis,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Dec. 2024
-
According to Hallman, Forrest-Stitt responded by allegedly assaulting him, punching him in the chest, hitting his mouth, and causing injuries, including a busted lip and a painful bicep injury.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
11 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Hundreds of drones being used as part of a Saturday night aerial light show in Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando appeared to be flying into position before several started falling from the sky before slamming to the ground, according to videos posted online.—
Louis Casiano,
Fox News,
23 Dec. 2024
-
His endorsement of the AfD came alongside a video of a far-right German commentator slamming the leading candidate to become Germany’s next chancellor, the conservative Friedrich Merz.—
Laura Kelly,
The Hill,
20 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Union also can be seen clapping beside them.—
Emma Aerin Becker,
People.com,
25 Dec. 2024
-
Takeaways As some players danced to the music playing in the background, Davis was clapping and talking excitedly to his charges.—
Vic Tafur,
The Athletic,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
But the unhappy ending is especially head-pounding for Saxon Ratliff (Patrick Schwarzenegger).—
Bryan Alexander,
USA TODAY,
24 Mar. 2025
-
Queen finished with a team-best 17 points, but Maryland frequently settled for outside jumpers instead of pounding the ball inside to Queen and Julian Reese.—
Lindsay Schnell,
The Athletic,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
There were other chances, goals ruled out, Murphy striking the crossbar, and then Joelinton gilded the scoreline after intercepting a pass out from Amadou Onana that straddled negligence and criminality.—
George Caulkin,
The Athletic,
27 Dec. 2024
-
In a wide-ranging interview with NPR, Governor Maher Marwan, 42, said that Syria's new government did not want to seek conflict with Israel, which has been striking strategic military installations in Syria since the regime of former President Bashar al-Assad fell earlier this month.—
Hadeel Al-Shalchi,
NPR,
27 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
And the itemizing of it, breaking it up, short form, the clipping it out.—
Mike Ryan,
IndieWire,
18 Dec. 2024
-
In Don’t Look Back, Bob is reading in a newspaper clipping about himself.—
Seth Abramovitch,
The Hollywood Reporter,
13 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Take a look through the list, then pick your potion—and be sure to consult with your physician before swiping anything onto your delicate lash line.—
Jenny Berg,
Allure,
24 Dec. 2024
-
Using it is as simple as placing a few drops on a cotton round and swiping it across your face.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
19 Dec. 2024
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Cite this Entry
“Slapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slapping. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share